Month: July 2023

Dramatic Theft Shakes Fruitvale Village

In the early hours of July 12, 2023, thieves used an SUV and a chain to violently break into Fruitvale Village Market, stealing a cash register and $4,000 worth of cigarettes. Surveillance footage captured at least five masked individuals breaking into the store, ransacking it, and escaping in a Chevy SUV and a white Lexus. This brazen act of theft has left the community reeling and has intensified calls for enhanced security measures.

Recent months have seen a troubling rise in criminal activity in Fruitvale Village, including shootings in the area and an escalating sense of insecurity. In response, local residents and businesses have mobilized, with some investing in private security and others urging increased police presence. Despite these efforts, incidents like this heist highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring safety and deterring crime in the community.

Community’s Response and Ongoing Efforts

The Fruitvale Village community has been proactive in addressing the surge in crime, with recent meetings and security investments reflecting their determination to combat the issue. The Unity Council, spending $55,000 per month on armed security, and local residents calling for more police patrols demonstrate a united front against the rising threat. Yet, with the thieves still at large and security concerns unabated, the need for effective crime prevention strategies remains urgent.

Oakland police confirmed the break-in was reported shortly after 4 a.m. on July 12, but the suspects had already fled by the time officers arrived. The community is now urging anyone with information about the suspects to contact Oakland police at 510-238-3951, hoping to bring those responsible to justice and restore a sense of safety in the neighborhood.

OAKLAND, Calif. – Burglars broke into Market One in Fruitvale Village early Wednesday by using a car to force their way into the shop, Oakland police said.

Police spokeswoman Candace Keas said the break-in was reported just after 4 a.m. in the 3300 block of E. 12th Street.

When officers arrived, the suspects were gone.

But surveillance video from inside and outside the store show at least five men wearing hoods and masks breaking into the store, rummaging about and then leaving in two cars: a Suburban or Tahoe and a white Lexus.

The owner said the thieves stole about 40 cartons of cigarettes and the cash register. They also tried to steal money from the ATM machine inside the store but were unsuccessful. They were inside the store for 17 minutes.

They were then seen on video loading up their vehicles before taking off.

It’s also unclear if they were armed.

Stores and people in Fruitvale Village have unfortunately been the targets of criminal activity before.

In May, a person was shot in the same block.

In April, there was a double shooting outside Market One, the same convenience store just steps from the Fruitvale BART station.

That same month, about 100 residents attended a community meeting, most of the people asking for more police patrols. The Unity Council has spent private money on armed security guards at a cost of $55,000 a month.

But the owner of Market One said the private security guard did nothing.

“I can’t even explain it,” the owner said. “I feel like the authorities let them loose. There’s no punishment.”

He added: “We’re paying for nothing.”

Unity Council Chief of Staff Karely Ordaz however, said that her agency pays for the guards a cost of $55,000 a month – not the individual merchants – and that they are not there to replace the job of police officers.

“We’ve invested in private security to try to minimize some of the tension that we’ve seen over the last few months,” Ordaz said. “Ultimately though, at the end of the day, it is up to the Police department to respond to these violent crimes, and we urge our tenants, our community partners to call 911.”

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Anyone with information should call Oakland police at (510) 238-3951.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan

At least one person is in custody after a police investigation at a Dayton intersection Wednesday afternoon.

Multiple Dayton police cruisers were at the intersection of James H. McGee Blvd. and Philadelphia Dr.

This started after crews from Five Rivers Metroparks witnessed someone fire shots out of a black Cadillac SUV just before 2 p.m., according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch records.

>> Charges approved for 1 of 2 suspects in deadly Moraine shooting; $1 million bond set

Our photographer on scene reported that officers had surrounded the SUV and shut down a portion of the bridge on Philadelphia Dr. The road has since reopened.

The incident resulted in a county-wide call for assistance, but that has since been canceled, according to dispatchers.

Dispatch records showed one person was in custody and no one appeared to have been hit by the gunfire.

We’ll update this story as we learn more.

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Additional Charge Adds Complexity to Legal Proceedings

State Senator Joshua Miller is set to face a new charge of obstructing a police officer, adding to the existing vandalism accusation related to an incident last month. Cranston’s City Solicitor, Christopher Millea, confirmed that this charge follows a comprehensive review of evidence, including police reports and video footage. Miller, already facing a vandalism charge for allegedly scratching a parked truck, will appear in court on Tuesday to address both charges, which are categorized as misdemeanors.

Political and Community Reactions

The Republican Party of Rhode Island has called for Miller’s resignation, criticizing his actions as a failure to represent his constituents properly. Chairman Joe Powers condemned Miller’s alleged behavior as a continuation of his history of political retaliation. Meanwhile, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has chosen to let the legal process unfold before making any decisions regarding Miller’s position within the Senate.

The incident has gained wider media attention, particularly after surveillance footage and Miller’s own vehicle—displaying a “Re-elect Miller” sticker—linked him to the vandalized SUV, which bore a provocative “Biden Sucks” bumper sticker. Despite his denial and various explanations for the act, the additional obstruction charge complicates his legal situation further, and the outcome of the case remains closely watched.