Full Notification

On Monday night, the San Leandro City Council unanimously approved an increase in the reward to $50,000 for information regarding the unsolved homicide of San Leandro resident Joel Ramirez, who was shot to death in his driveway after returning home from his girlfriend’s house on the morning of December 14, 2014.  

 

Since that day, detectives have worked towards solving the case and seeking justice for Joel Ramirez, his family, friends and the San Leandro community.  

 

In February 2015, an initial reward of $25,000 was approved by the City Council for information leading to the identity and criminal charging of the suspect responsible for this senseless act of violence.  

 

One year later, the case remained unsolved, so San Leandro’s City Council calendared a discussion about doubling the initial reward amount to $50,000, hoping that the increased reward will bring someone forward to police.  This is the largest reward that San Leandro has ever offered.

 

“Our community was deeply saddened when the life of Joel Ramirez was taken so abruptly,” stated Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter. “I can assure the public that our Police Department is using all of its available resources to find the person who did this. Our City Council hopes this unprecedented reward will assist in the ongoing efforts to bring Joel’s killer to justice.”  

 

Police believe that the increased reward will bring someone forward with critical information which will help them solve the case.  

 

“The San Leandro Police Department is committed to seeking justice for Joel and his family.  I hope that the increased reward will produce leads for us that will assist in solving this tragic case,” said Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli.  “Joel was a member of our community, with aspirations of becoming a police officer – someone who you would want as a next door neighbor.  We are committed to protecting our community and bringing the person responsible for Joel’s murder to justice - something that we won’t give up on,” she said.     

 

Joel Ramirez was born and raised in San Leandro.  He was a 2012 graduate of San Leandro High School and was attending Chabot College, when he was killed.  He worked at San Leandro’s El Torrito Restaurant at the Marina.

 

Joel’s neighbors have established a memorial scholarship in his name that will be awarded to a San Leandro High School senior.  For more information, please visit the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation’s website at www.slsf.us    

 

MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

 

Please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division with any information regarding this case or any other case at (510) 577-3230. 

 

Information may also be submitted anonymously by:

 

• Phone: Anonymous Crime Tips at (510) 577-3278

• Text Message:   Text “TipSLPolice” to 888777

 

For crime prevention tips please go to the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.

 

Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment by observing and reporting any suspicious and criminal activity to the Police.  The San Leandro Police Department recommends that citizens do not participate in any direct verbal or physical involvement with suspicious persons or those who are committing crimes. The personal safety of the community is paramount. We encourage the San Leandro community to record the details of what they observe and to report those details to the Police.  This type of community involvement and partnership has proven to be a very effective crime prevention tool. Citizens act as the eyes and ears of the community first, and the extended eyes and ears of the San Leandro Police Department. Thank you for being a force multiplier in our efforts to provide professional police services and safety to the community.

 

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:

 

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE:  02/03/16 – 9:00pm

 

INCIDENTS:  Reward Increased in Joel Ramirez Unsolved Murder

 

PRESS RELEASE OFFICER:  Lt. Robert McManus

 

TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3232

 

EMAIL: [email protected]

 

DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: 02/01/16 – 7:00pm

 

ARREST LOCATION(S): N/A

 

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S):  Det. Steven Cesaretti

 

SUSPECT(S):  Unknown