Police warn of ‘extremely dangerous’ armed caravans of thieves striking cities across nation

Roving armed caravans of thieves are targeting businesses in Oakland, police Chief Susan Manheimer said at a news briefing Thursday following a police shooting on election night that left one dead.

The shooting occurred in East Oakland and left three police officers injured when the officers were struck by vehicles the thieves were driving, police said. The injured officers were sent to hospitals and have been released.

At the briefing at 4:10 p.m., Manheimer said this is not the first time Oakland has experienced this problem.

She said:

“Our community needs to know about these roving caravans. It’s a growing trend.”

Before these latest robberies and burglaries, Manheimer said the city saw similar activity in May and June of this year, around the time of the George Floyd demonstrations.

She said the thieves seem to be active when police are tied up with other things, such as demonstrations.

That’s when they attempt to steal from pharmacies, marijuana growing operations and dispensaries and other businesses, evening going so far as to steal multiple cars.

Manheimer cited the theft of numerous cars from a San Leandro car dealership earlier this year as one example.

The chief asked residents to call police if they see a possible caravan coming into the area.

Manheimer said:

“They are extremely dangerous.”

Police believe there are many groups involved, some copying others because the initial ones have been successful, and the problem is occurring elsewhere in the country such as Los Angeles and Chicago.

Manheimer said law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area are starting to work together to address the problem.

Manheimer said:

“We are readjusting our tactics. We are going to stop this initiative.”