Jul 28, 2008 4:29 pm US/Pacific
More Takeover Robberies Of Oakland Restaurants
OAKLAND (BCN) ―
Oakland police Sgt. Roland Holmgren said investigators were trying to determine if there's a connection between three takeover-style robberies at restaurants Saturday and Sunday nights.
Officer Jeff Thomason, another department spokesman, said the first incident occurred at a restaurant in the 400 block of East 12th Street about 9:50 p.m. Saturday.
He said three men entered the restaurants, robbed patrons and fled.
Thomason said one employee complained of injuries but didn't seek medical treatment.
Thomason said the second incident occurred at the Bay Fung Tong Tea House, a Chinese restaurant at 1916 Franklin St., about 9:35 p.m. Sunday.
He said three men robbed nine victims and fled.
Thomason said the third incident occurred at a takeout restaurant in the 4000 block of Piedmont Avenue a few minutes later, at 9:42 p.m. Sunday.
He said man robbed the business and fled.
Thomason said one employee suffered minor injuries but didn't require medical attention.
Holmgren said, "The style and manner of the robberies is glaring" in trying to determine if there's a connection between the incidents.
However, he said, "There's no snap decision" as to whether they're connected.
Holmgren said Oakland police "are always concerned" about takeover robberies at restaurants and other businesses.
He said it's too early to tell if the recent robberies could be connected to a series of takeover robberies at Oakland restaurants earlier this year.
Holmgren said two suspects were arrested in connection with those robberies.
He said he's "confident" the suspects in the robberies Saturday and Sunday nights will be caught.
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