CASTRO VALLEY — Five boys and girls, ranging in ages from 13 to 17, were arrested in a series of armed street robberies over the weekend after a vehicle chase, authorities said.
The robberies happened between 9 p.m. last Friday and about midnight in the 4300 block of Omega Avenue, the 19700 block of Center Street and the 20300 block of Forest Avenue, an Alameda County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.
Several male victims, ranging in ages from 18 to 48, told sheriff’s deputies they were confronted on the street by the group, including a person with a gun concealed in a jacket, before various items, including cell phones, wireless headphones, cash and keys, were taken. One car was also stolen, authorities said.
After the suspects were later spotted in a vehicle near Omega Avenue, deputies began pursuing it. The speeding driver eventually crashed into barriers in the roadway on Redwood Road.
Three of the suspects were arrested in the vehicle at the crash site. Items taken during the robberies and a “ghost gun” pistol with a laser sight attached were recovered, deputies said.
Two other suspects were arrested walking near the Castro Valley BART Station.
Deputies said victims were able to identify all of the suspects, described as boys ages 13, 14 and 17, and girls ages 13 and 16.
Authorities said all the suspects live in Alameda County cities and have prior robbery arrests in Oakland, Berkeley and Pleasanton. They were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and other crimes and taken to Alameda County Juvenile Hall.
Staff writer George Kelly contributed to this report.
Source: www.mercurynews.com