The Oakland police department’s tag of “an alarming trend in robberies” was proved to be existing through surveillance video footage that captured a daring robbery and shooting incident on Chinatown Saturday.
According to CBS News, the crime involved two women who were taking the sidewalk and were attacked by a couple of men who emerged from a vehicle. The women lost their purses to the suspects.
Several media outlets said a pair of witnesses rushed to help but the suspects had guns and started firing, injuring one of the witnesses, according to East Bay Times.
The suspects managed to flee from the crime scene.
In an interview with KCBS Radio Tuesday, Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said that the incident was “very unfortunate”.
The witness who was shot twice when he jumped in to help spoke with ABC 7 News.
“I would never expect something like this to happen in broad daylight with cameras around and a lot of police presence around,” one of the witnesses, Mr. Li, told ABC 7.
The footage of the crime was shared by Henry Lee, KTVU’s crime reporter, on Twitter. “Many of us, we feel strongly that this brave young man, willing to risk his life, these are the heroes,” he captioned.
In a separate post on Facebook, the Oakland Police department said in a statement that a pile of robberies has transpired over the weekend. Most of the victims were those who carried purses, backpacks, computer bags or electronic devices, police said. Thieves are attacking mostly those who are returning home from work or simply on their vehicles.
These safety tips can help to prevent robbery attacks, police said, as reported by SFGate:
- Your property can be replaced. Do not fight back.
- Carry only personal items like an ID and Debit or Credit Card if possible.
- Do not keep all your important items like cash and credit cards in one bag.
- Always be on alert.
- Do not pin your focus on your electronic gadgets.
- Be aware of the surroundings when entering or going out of your car.
- Keep your car door locked after entering.
