Full Notification

On Friday, May 24th, around 1 pm, four subjects entered a jewelry store inside of Bayfair Mall and committed a "takeover" style robbery. All four subjects, dressed in black with hoods and surgical masks jumped the glass counter inside of the store and began assaulting the two store employees. One of the suspects produced a large pair of bolt cutters and began smashing the glass to the jewelry display cases. In less than a minute, all four suspects exited the store with an estimated $10-20k worth of jewelry.
 
A witness watched as the suspects exited the mall and entered into a waiting vehicle. The description of the vehicle was given to San Leandro Police and within minutes, an undercover police sergeant located the suspect vehicle on the freeway traveling into Oakland.
 
The suspect driver immediately accelerated and attempted to flee from the officer. A short pursuit ensued but quickly ended when the suspect vehicle attempted to exit the freeway in traffic. When the suspect vehicle became disabled, the driver and occupants attempted to run. The solo police sergeant was able to hold the suspects at gunpoint until additional units arrived to assist.
 
Two adults, Charles Brown of Oakland and Lonnie Beard of Antioch, and one juvenile were taken into custody. The stolen jewelry was not located in the vehicle. After reviewing surveillance video from Bayfair Mall, detectives learned that a second suspect vehicle was involved at the scene in which three additional suspects used to get away.
 
"This is an ongoing investigation," said San Leandro Police Lieutenant Isaac Benabou. "We are working with the store employees and hope that additional video surveillance from surrounding areas produces some investigative leads. As for now, the two adults we have in custody will face a series of felony charges."
 
The Alameda County District Attorney charged both adults today with robbery and conspiracy charges, the driver was also charged with failure to yield, hit and run, and resisting arrest. Both men will be arraigned today at Dublin's East County Courthouse.

(first photo - BROWN, second photo - BEARD, also driver)