Oakland police see rise in smash-and-grab suspects targeting people sitting in their cars

the owner of a popular West Oakland restaurant gutted by fire says he won't be reopening Matt horn says after deep reflection and prayer with his family he's made the difficult decision not to reopen horn Barbecue on Mandela Parkway he says the decision comes from a number of challenges Beyond last November's fire including vandalism and what he calls continuous theft and crime in the area the decision comes as Oakland Police announced an increase in Smash and grab robberies of people sitting in their cars here's a B bc7 news reporter uner Hass Oakland Police are warning of a rise in Smash and grabs but now it's happening as people sit in their cars at this incident from February oh my God oh my God OPD says in several recent cases victims were either sitting in their vehicles or stopped while driving the suspect breaks the passenger side window and grabs the driver's belongings what I've noticed is there'll be a driver there'll be a passenger and then the guy in the back seat will kind of hop out smash a window they use like a little tool and then they just grab whatever Lamar Works Security in Oakland he's seen these types of Smashing grabs many times people are getting desperate so I mean unfortunately with no police chief they take advantage of the opportunity of no police being out there and yeah unfortunately you know we got to live in Terror Oakland Police weren't available for comment but in a statement they write that they are actively investigating and tracking this current Trend and that commanders have begun deploying additional officers to areas of the city that have experienced the surge in armed robberies robberies over the past 12 months are up 27% compared to the annual average over the last 3 years the city averaged 74 robberies a week over the last 12 months so far this year there have been 715 robberies unfortunately I have seen it um quite a bit and um it's a scary feeling to know that you're not safe even just sitting in your car OPD suggests ways to reduce your risk by keeping your valuables in the trunk or under the seat if you think you're being followed drive to a safe place and call 911 and if attacked remain calm and do not resist an who's a lifelong Oakland resident says Oakland is dealing with a lot right now but she's not giving up on her City she does however think more police presence would help you sitting in your car eating lunch or you know reading a book and it's just really unfortunate and I hope hopefully our leaders get a chance to turn this around and make Oakland what it should be and what it can be in Oakland an H ABC7 News

Channel: ABC7 News Bay Area

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Keywords: abc7 news, abc news, new story, abc

Id: o672amEaaWE

Length: 2min 36sec (156 seconds)

Published: Fri Mar 15 2024