Full Notification

Today, at 10:45 a.m., Moraga Police received a report of a strong arm robbery at St. Mary's College. It was reported that two suspects had entered a classroom, stolen a laptop computer and fled in a black Jeep. Moraga officers, along with officers from Orinda and Lafayette Police, began searching the area.

An Orinda PD officer spotted the Jeep being driven on Moraga Way, towards the freeway, and stopped the Jeep near Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church. Two of the occupants jumped out of the Jeep and fled into the neighborhood above the church. The third suspect was taken into custody at the vehicle. Officers from all three departments, along with a CHP helicopter, Lafayette PD drone and a Concord Police K-9 searched the area. One of the two suspects was later arrested behind the church while the third is still at large.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that two of the suspects entered a campus building and went to a classroom occupied by one person. One of the suspects held the classroom door open while another walked up to a priest, momentarily distracted him and stole the laptop. The suspects ran out of the building to a waiting car that was driven by the third suspect.

Deonta Lee, 25, and Javaries Johnson, 22, both of Antioch, were transported to the Contra Costa Jail, Martinez, where they were booked for charges including grand theft, probation violation and possession of stolen property. The laptop was recovered and returned to the owner.

The Moraga Police want to thank a number of witnesses who came forward and provided critical information about the incident. Anyone else with information is asked to contact Detective Kevin Mooney at 925-888-7056.