SAN LEANDRO — Three people were in police custody after their arrests Tuesday on suspicion of charges related to theft of an Amazon delivery van, authorities said.
According to a police statement, officers responded to the 400 block of Superior Avenue in the city’s Broadmoor district around 11:45 a.m. for a theft report. When officers arrived, they learned that a delivery van’s driver had stepped away when someone managed to steal his vehicle.
Because the van was equipped with GPS location technology, detectives found the van soon after in East Oakland, and while surveilling the van, saw people going through the van and several packages inside.
When police swooped down on the van, the people fled into the neighborhood near 100th and Plymouth avenues in the city’s Iveywood neighborhood. Detectives then called on Oakland police, who set a perimeter to aid in a search, and Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies, who responded with a K-9 unit and a drone.
By around 12:30 p.m., three suspects had been found and taken into custody. The van was returned to Amazon, police said.
The suspects’ charges were not immediately available, San Leandro police spokesman Lt. Matt Barajas said Tuesday afternoon.
“We are glad no one was hurt during this incident and police could salvage as many packages as possible,” said Barajas, who added that the department has not yet seen any spike in any similar thefts, given the approaching holiday season.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com