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Tag: oakland crime

  • Oakland man, woman charged with animal cruelty after dogs found with numerous broken bones

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    OAKLAND — A man and woman were charged with felony animal cruelty after police say they found evidence the defendants were beating two dogs in their Oakland apartment, court records show.

    Semaj Ivey, 30, faces two felony counts, while Keevan Grandy, 53, faces one. Both have also been charged with a misdemeanor abandonment of an animal count, court records show.

    A neighbor who lived in the same apartment complex on Martin Luther King Jr. Way reported the duo to police back in July, alleging that they saw one of the defendants beating their dog. Authorities say they followed up on the tip and that Ivey eventually provided animal control officers a video of her tying a husky up to a door as a form of punishment.

    A husky and a pitbull were found with numerous fractures in various stages healing, police said in court filings. The husky had suffered more than 30 broken bones and the pitbull around 10, authorities allege in records. Police recovered a baseball bat that was allegedly used to beat the husky, according to court records. The pitbull also reportedly had a cut on its face when animal control inspected the apartment.

    Ivey and Grandy have both been released from jail while the case is pending, records show. They pleaded not guilty at a Jan. 5 court date and are due for a preliminary hearing in late February. The charges were filed on New Year’s Eve.

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    Nate Gartrell

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  • Oakland man woke up from a drunken nap, surrounded by child porn investigators, police say

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    OAKLAND — A city resident has been charged with secretly taking a nude picture of his girlfriend’s 16-year-old family member while she sat on the toilet, court records show.

    The suspect, 44-year-old Elder Lopez, of Oakland, allegedly drank alcohol then fell asleep on his girlfriend’s couch while listening to music. When he woke up, he was surrounded by Oakland police, who’d been called there by his girlfriend after she allegedly went through his phone and found the picture, according to court records.

    Lopez was subsequently arrested and charged with a felony, child pornography possession, and two misdemeanors: invasion of privacy and sexual exploitation. The girl, a relative of Lopez’s girlfriend, reportedly told police she had no idea how he was able to get the picture, which depicted her inside a bathroom of the girlfriend’s Oakland home, authorities said.

    The officers woke Lopez up from his nap and booked him into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, court records show. They would have questioned him but he smelled so strongly of alcohol that they didn’t think he could waive his rights, according to court records.

    Lopez pleaded not guilty on Dec. 19 and has since been released from jail after posting $100,00 bail, court records show.

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    Nate Gartrell

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  • ‘He was already down’: Two agree to 12 years in prison for killing man at Oakland park

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    OAKLAND — Two men have agreed to serve 12-year prison terms for beating another man to death at a park in a broad daylight attack, court records show.

    Melvin Espinolobo, 24, and Alexander Garciaamaya, 29, both pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the May 10, 2020 killing of 28-year-old Jose Mejia-Lemus. They remain at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin with the expectation of being formally sentenced in December.

    The attack was witnessed by passers-by and others at the Josie de la Cruz Park at 1637 Fruitvale Ave. Authorities say a little after 3 p.m., one of the two suspects argued with Mejia-Lemus, then retrieved two bats from a nearby homeless encampment where they lived. One of the suspects was seen with a machete, according to police testimony.

    An eyewitness testified at the 2022 preliminary hearing that Mejia-Lemus pleaded “leave me alone” as he was being killed, but that both men continued to hit him.

    “The worst thing was when he was already down on the ground they just kept beating him,” the man testified. Another witness testified that Mejia-Lemus claimed to have a knife, but others said he was unarmed, according to court records.

    The two men were arrested and charged shortly after the homicide and their case has been pending ever since. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors are dropping murder charges against both men, court records show.

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    Nate Gartrell

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  • Oakland: Man charged with killing mechanic in hit-and-run crash

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    OAKLAND — The suspect in a May 2023 crash has been charged, more than two years after he was arrested in connection with the alleged crime, court records show.

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    Nate Gartrell

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  • Alleged Oakland gang leader was on a mission for revenge after brother’s homicide, police say. Now the feds have taken the case

    Alleged Oakland gang leader was on a mission for revenge after brother’s homicide, police say. Now the feds have taken the case

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    OAKLAND — A man who allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and absconded from parole just three days after finishing a 17-year prison sentence has been hit with a federal gun charge, court records show.

    Terrance King, 30, was arrested after police received a tip he was coming to the Bay Area from Southern California in search of whoever killed his brother in Oakland, while King was still in prison. When authorities caught up to him in San Leandro, he was allegedly carrying a satchel with an AK-47-style pistol and attempted to evade arrest, prosecutors allege.

    King was initially charged with a probation violation and illegal gun possession, but now he faces a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a bid to keep King in jail while the case is pending, prosecutors not only referred to him as an Oakland “gang leader” but also said that ballistics examiners found a “preliminary correlation” between the gun and three prior shootings that occurred before King’s release, including a June 19 mass shooting in Oakland.

    King’s attorney in the state case filed court papers saying he came to the Bay Area to round up his family and leave the area, not for a nefarious purpose.

    A federal magistrate signed off on King’s detention, citing the facts of the case and King’s alleged gang membership.

    King was among 17 alleged members of the Oakland-based Case Gang arrested in 2013. The defendants faced charges ranging from robbery and assault to pimping, and King eventually took a plea deal and a 17-year sentence, records show.

    Last April, King’s 25-year-old brother, Hodari Lyons, was shot and killed on the 6900 block of Hamilton Street in East Oakland. When prison officials and authorities learned that Lyons was King’s brother, a group of law enforcement officials from Oakland police, the California Department Of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and a parole officer met with King in prison to dissuade him from retaliating, according to authorities.

    King paroled into Southern California on June 28. By July 1, police say, he had removed his ankle monitor and was wanted on a so-called parolee-at-large warrant.

     

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    Nate Gartrell

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  • Two charged in Oakland double homicide; police say one victim was armed

    Two charged in Oakland double homicide; police say one victim was armed

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    OAKLAND — After being arrested at a Bay Area beach, a man and woman have been charged in connection with a recent quadruple shooting here, court records show.

    DeJuan Pickens, 34, of Concord, was charged Thursday with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges stem from the Aug. 17 Oakland shooting that resulted in two deaths and two injuries.

    On the same criminal complaint, 33-year-old Rebecca Taylor, of Oakland, was charged with helping Pickens escape. She faces a felony count of accessory after the fact.

    Both defendants are being held without bail and were advised of the charges at their first court hearings on Thursday, records show.

    Police say the shooting resulted from an argument between Taylor and three other people, near Taylor’s apartment on the 1600 block of 83rd Avenue in East Oakland. Pickens was there and saw that one of the involved parties — police haven’t said who — had a gun on them, according to court records.

    Pickens then retrieved a gun from a satchel and opened fire at the three people Taylor was arguing with, as well as the fourth armed person, authorities said. After the shooting, the two fled but were eventually arrested at McNears Beach in Marin County on Aug. 19, records show.

    The two homicide victims have been identified in court papers as Waltrice Dilliehunt and Tyrell Bland. Their ages weren’t immediately available.

    After her arrest, Taylor “provided a full confession” to police and admitted to helping Pickens flee, police said in court papers. Pickens refused to talk to authorities and asked for a lawyer.

    The two surviving victims required hospitalization, authorities said.

    Police are expected to announce the charges at a news conference set for noon on Friday.

    Check back for updates

    Originally Published:

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    Nate Gartrell, Jakob Rodgers

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  • ‘It’s sad’: Oakland In-N-Out grills last burgers Sunday, permanently closing

    ‘It’s sad’: Oakland In-N-Out grills last burgers Sunday, permanently closing

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    OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — The last double-double and fries were being served up Sunday in Oakland. It was closing day for In-N-Out Burger off Interstate 880.

    It’s the first time the popular restaurant chain has ever closed one of its stores. But ongoing neighborhood crime was no match when it came to safety.

    Everyone has their go-to favorite at In-N-Out.

    “Double-double, animal style fries,” said America Sanchez.

    “Definitely a number one with pickle,” said Alfonso Gomez.

    RELATED: Oakland In-N-Out’s final weekend in business underway before restaurant’s 1st-ever closure

    It’s the last time those cravings can be satisfied at the In-N-Out location off Hegenberger Road in Oakland — it’s closing for good.

    “I know it was the last day to come out, it know this is the first one to ever close in its history so I wanted to come out and show support,” said Gomez.

    This restaurant opened in 2005 but ongoing crime on the property and in the neighborhood left the burger chain making the tough call to close over safety concerns.

    “Yeah, it’s really sad because it’s a spot where a lot of teens come have their first job. This was my first job ever,” said Claris Mares.

    RELATED: Community sad with In-N-Out’s decision to close Oakland location due to crime

    In-N-Out Burger recently announced it will close its location in Oakland claiming rising crime is making it unsafe for customers and employees.

    Clarisa says she worked at this In-N-Out for three years and never felt unsafe but others did.

    “A lot of people who aren’t from here feel more unsafe because they know they can break your wind,” Mares added.

    “The robberies around here are really bad,” said Sanchez.

    City officials hope the incoming OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell can help stop other businesses from packing up and leaving town.

    RELATED: In-N-Out in Oakland to close over increase in crime, company says

    Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo has expectations.

    “It’s going to take a strong police chief action and working with police department in the neighborhood to make sure this doesn’t continue,” Gallo said.

    In an earlier statement, In-N-Out said: We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates.

    The company says employees can transfer to other restaurants or receive a severance package.

    If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    KGO

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  • Oakland In-N-Out’s final weekend in business underway before restaurant’s 1st-ever closure

    Oakland In-N-Out’s final weekend in business underway before restaurant’s 1st-ever closure

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    OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — This is the final weekend in business for the In-N-Out Burger in Oakland.

    It’s the chain’s first-ever permanent closure.

    RELATED: Community sad with In-N-Out’s decision to close Oakland location due to crime

    Crime on the property and along the Hegenberger corridor is the reason behind it.

    Other businesses in the area, including a Subway and a Denny’s, have also closed over safety concerns.

    RELATED: In-N-Out in Oakland to close over increase in crime, company says

    The Oakland restaurant is No. 193 and opened in 2005, according to In-N-Out’s list.

    In-N-Out didn’t say what, if anything, would happen to Oakland’s store number.

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    ABC7 Bay Area Digital Staff

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  • Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao announces Floyd Mitchell as new police chief

    Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao announces Floyd Mitchell as new police chief

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    OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — After over a year without a named police chief, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has announced former Lubbock, Texas Chief Floyd Mitchell to the position.

    Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell is pictured.

    Oakland Police Dept.

    Mayor Thao says that Mitchell has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and is expected to begin leading OPD between late April and early May. His exact start date has not been announced.

    “Floyd Mitchell is a strong leader and smart crime fighter who delivers results,” Mayor Thao said in part in a press release. “His commitment to proven crime reduction strategies including proactive policing and strong officer-community engagement vaulted him to the top of the list.”

    In the release, Mitchell described his goals leading the department.

    MORE: Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong files wrongful termination lawsuit against city, mayor

    “As servant leaders and guardians of our city, I and the members of the Oakland Police Department have a unique opportunity to create lasting relationships and make significant impacts in the communities we serve,” he said in part. “Our duty is to promote safety, prevent crime, and pursue justice for all we serve by collaborating and communicating with our community.”

    Mitchell was part of a new batch of candidates for the job after Mayor Thao rejected the first pool of candidates suggested by the commission.

    It has now been more than a year since Mayor Thao fired LeRonne Armstrong from his job. Armstrong is suing the city for wrongful termination.

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    KGO

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  • Nearly 14K abandoned cars reportedly dumped in Oakland over 6 months, prompting tow bill controversy

    Nearly 14K abandoned cars reportedly dumped in Oakland over 6 months, prompting tow bill controversy

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    OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — A stolen car gets dumped on your property in Oakland, now you have to pay for it to be towed.

    City officials are overwhelmed with the number of stolen, abandoned vehicles dumped across the city. A report obtained exclusively by the I-Team shows just how bad the problem is.

    You see them everywhere – residential streets, business districts, even on the train tracks. Residents tell us they’re blocking access to their homes, businesses, and even entrances to local schools.

    INTERACTIVE: Take a look at the ABC7 Neighborhood Safety Tracker

    According to a new report from Oakland’s Department of Transportation, 13,856 abandoned cars were reported in Oakland over a six-month period last year.

    There’s so many the city is leasing space just to have somewhere to put them.

    The I-Team went for a ride-along with Councilmember Noel Gallo and his staff to see the volume on the streets.

    “This lot here is where they take the abandoned cars, you see the guy towing them,” said Gallo. “They’re stacked on top of each other.”

    Within 15 minutes of our drive, Gallo’s staff assistant Preston Turner who tracks these reports daily, pointed out 25 abandoned cars within a couple mile radius. Within 30 minutes, that figure jumped to 50 abandoned cars.

    MORE: CHP makes 168 arrests, recovers 360 stolen cars in Oakland and East Bay

    The volume was eye-opening. According to Gallo, the problem has tripled on the streets so far this year. Why?

    “We don’t have the space to locate them,” he told ABC7.

    The city’s storage lots for abandoned cars are packed and expensive. Gallo says the city is paying close to $1 million annually for storage alone.

    On Tuesday, Oakland City Council unanimously voted to approve a measure that aims to tackle the issue. The proposal identifies available funding for the city to hire multiple tow companies and utilize Caltrans’ vacant lots for storage.

    Oak DOT’s Vehicle Enforcement Unit is also hiring an additional 15 parking control technicians that will be focused on responding to reports of abandoned and stolen vehicles. The I-Team was told the technicians are still in training and are expected to be on the streets within a couple of months.

    EXCLUSIVE: Video shows 2-year-old wandering the street after Oakland carjacking suspect leaves him

    ABC7 News obtained exclusive video where the Oakland carjacking suspect can be seen abandoning the 2-year-old on the street in San Leandro.

    But residents say they’re still fed up.

    “Some park in front of the gate,” said business owner Bruce Vong. “I can’t even leave – and if you intervene they’ll shoot you.”

    Councilman Gallo and Turner responded to complaints of stolen vehicles blocking access to a nearby grade school. They say parents or teachers had nowhere to park.

    “It’s just not fair,” said Turner. “We report them, they clean it up, and they’re back like ants.”

    Reporting abandoned and stolen cars has also become an issue.

    “The whole block reports it,” said Bernadette Burton, an Oakland resident. “But they say there’s nothing they can do.”

    VIDEO: ‘It’s a war zone’: Oakland business owner chases down man stealing his tow truck

    Business owners in Oakland describe going to work like it’s a “war zone” – battling consistent waves of violent crime.

    “They just say no,” ABC7’s Stephanie Sierra asked.

    “Yes,” said Burton while nodding.

    OPD will no longer respond to reports of abandoned vehicles or stolen cars unless it’s parked in front of your driveway and you can’t get into your house. Otherwise, the Oakland Department of Transportation is the agency authorized to respond. Residents are asked to report these situations to 311.

    But it often takes awhile – residents have to wait for the car to be reported, cited, and then in some cases get stuck with the tow bill.

    “It happened to the assistant in my office,” said Gallo, adding she had to pay close to $500. “Why, if you steal my car, do I have to pay?”

    A valid question that city officials are currently discussing.

    Service requests across Oakland

    A new report found abandoned vehicles are towering over other service requests made across Oakland from June through November last year.

    Graph not displaying correctly? Click here to open in a new window.

    A breakdown from your Council District

    Here is a breakdown of the requests council districts are getting for abandoned automobiles, homeless encampments, and sideshows.

    Graph not displaying correctly? Click here to open in a new window.

    ABC7’s Lindsey Feingold contributed to this report.

    Take a look at more stories by the ABC7 News I-Team.

    If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    Stephanie Sierra

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