Man Suspected Of Attack On Alameda Auto Shop Worker Arrested After Returning For Car
ALAMEDA (KPIX 5) - An Alameda auto body shop customer was in custody following the violent robbery an employee who was giving the customer a ride home – an arrest aided by the same customer returning to the shop to pick up his vehicle, according to police.
The unidentified suspect dropped his car off at Alameda Collision Repair on Saturday and asked for a courtesy ride home to Oakland
Once they crossed into an area of East Oakland, the customer turned on the employee, beating him severely and taking all his money, police said.
The employee was hospitalized with serious injuries.
The suspect in this robbery bizarrely returned to pick up his car Tuesday morning, giving employees time to call police.
The suspect was captured on camera when he came to the shop. The owner of the body shop said he was behind bars Tuesday evening.
In Oakland, it seems it's no longer enough to simply snatch a purse. Robberies here are evolving. Last week, a number of commuters lined up for a casual carpool were held up.
It seems the criminals see an opportunity for theft everywhere, making Oakland the nation's robbery capital.
"We're ranked as the most robbery city in the country," said Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo. "When it comes to robbery, theft, crime, you name it."
FBI stats show there have been more than 3,800 robberies in Oakland this year, up 24 percent over last year.
If the surge continues, 2013 could be a record year for robberies in Oakland with robberies up more than 80% by year's end, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Despite the increase in robberies, FBI numbers show that homicides and other violent crimes have dropped in Oakland.
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