Burglaries, Home Invasion Robbery Worry Oakland Montclair Residents
OAKLAND (KCBS) - Police have stepped up patrols in the Oakland hills after a series of burglaries in the Montclair neighborhood, as well as a home invasion robbery at an elderly woman's house.
Police said two suspects broke into an 89-year-old woman's house Tuesday, shoved a pillow into her face and forced her into a bathroom while they stole cash and jewelry.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
There have been no arrests in that case.
Police would not say how many burglaries have been reported in the Oakland Hills in recent weeks, but residents indicated there have been sometimes as many as four a day.
"I talked to my fellow merchants and I talked to my fellow neighbors. And people are concerned," said Jeff Diamond, owner of Farmstead Cheeses and Wines in Montclair Village.
Diamond said the burglars appear to work as a team, deploying lookouts who wait for residents to leave their homes.
"Then they go and kick in the side or the front door and grab and run," he said.
Diamond said he and other merchants in Montclair Village were anxious to help the Oakland Police Department nab the suspects.
"We're having a meeting next week with the members of the Oakland Police and I think somebody from the city will be there to talk about some more things that we can do as residents," he said.
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