SLPD makes an arrest on a series of armed street robberies. 
On 07/13/17, detectives from the San Leandro police department presented their case against 31-year-old Oakland resident, Devon Craft to the Alameda County District Attorney. Craft, who is on state parole was arrested on 07/11/17 for committing at least three separate street robberies in San Leandro.
Between May and June of this year, Craft lured male victims to the 1100 block of Jefferson Street during the evening hours after making text arraignments for prostitution. Craft would communicate with his victims using a smartphone application called “Backpage.com.”
Once the male victims arrived at the location, Craft approached them brandishing a firearm and robbed them of their valuables. At least three victims came forward and reported the robberies to the San Leandro police department, but it is unknown exactly how many subjects fell victim to Craft’s scheme.
Detectives found a lead in the case through extensive investigating that led them to Davon Craft. Cell phone records were obtained that directly associated Craft’s cell phone with the Backpage.com application used by the victims.
Craft was arrested in Oakland and had been living with his girlfriend at an address in San Leandro near the location of these robberies.
Alameda County District Attorney charged Craft with three counts of armed robbery and an addition gun enhancement charge as a parolee.
“Our detectives and patrol officers did an excellent job investigating these cases that lead to the identity of the suspect”, said Lieutenant Isaac Benabou. “Sophisticated suspects use third-party smartphone applications to conceal their identity. It takes a committed group of detectives and officers to investigate and explore all possible avenues in an attempt to identify the suspect. Regardless of the reason why the victims came to the area, it was important that this suspect was caught.”
Devon Craft remains in the custody of the Alameda County Sheriffs and is awaiting his next court appearance.
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 visit the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.
DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 07/13/17 1540
INCIDENTS: 211 PC
PRESS RELEASE OFFICER: Lt. Isaac Benabou
TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3272
EMAIL: [email protected]
INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S): CID
SUSPECT(S): Craft, Devon
Address/Location
San Leandro Police Department
901 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA 94577
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-577-2740
Isaac Benabou
Investigations Commander
[email protected]
510-577-2740
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP SLPOLICE followed by your message, to 888777
