San Leandro: Armed Robbers Targeting Parents Dropping Off Kids At School
SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF) -- San Leandro investigators believe armed robbers are targeting parents dropping off their kids at school.
Two robberies happened in the Washington Manor neighborhood as parents were returning from Arroyo High School.
On Monday, Tomas Castillo was coming back to his home in the 1400 block of Burkhart Avenue at about 8 a.m. when three masked men approached him. Castillo said he instinctively grabbed the suspect's gun.
One of the men pointed a gun at the victim and forced him into his backyard, where they told him to knock on his backdoor to get his wife's attention. But when she saw what was happening, she called police and the three robbers took the man's wallet and ran.
Whatever happened, Castillo said he was not going to open that door.
"In my mind I said, go ahead and shoot me," he said. "That's what I think, when they shoot me, they're gonna run, right? Somebody gonna hear the shots. Luckily, nothing happened like that."
San Leandro Police said this is the second time this month it's happened, where parents are attacked after dropping their kids off at Arroyo High School.
A few blocks away on Oct. 8, four men with guns approached a man who had just dropped his child off and come home in the 15600 block of Hebron Court at about 8:30 a.m., police said.
The four men went into the man's home and robbed him and his wife of cash, jewelry and other items they could easily conceal, police said.
They fled the area in a dark Nissan Rogue that was caught on video by a neighbor's surveillance camera. The car had California license plates but witnesses didn't have time to take down the number.
In both cases, the victims were Asian men and the crooks entered the houses through the sidegate.
It's unclear how the robbers are choosing their victims, but investigators say it's unlikely the parents are being followed home from the high school.
"One of the theories we are exploring right now is the possibility that these suspects are conducting either surveillance prior to crimes occurring, or have some sort of information knowing that these fathers will return home after dropping the kids at school.," said San Leandro Police Lt. Robert McManus.
Castillo said he used to keep his gun in his bedroom, but now it's on him all the time.
"I'm ready to fight them, man," he said. "They want to shoot, let's go. Go for it."
San Leandro police criminal investigators can be reached at (510) 577-3230 or via a tip line at (510) 577-3278.
TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
