4 Oakland gas stations have now been robbed in AM hours, local authorities have confirmed to local news outlets.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a troubling series of robberies targeted gas stations across Oakland, leaving clerks to deal with the aftermath of significant damage and fear.
The Oakland Police Department confirmed that at least four locations were hit before the clock struck 7 a.m., indicating a coordinated effort by the suspects.
Targeted Locations and Modus Operandi
The affected establishments included a gas station on High Street, a car wash on Broadway, an Ampm gas station on Shattuck Avenue, and a Shell station on Fifth Street.
All of these locations appeared to have been specifically targeted for their ATM machines, suggesting that the robbers were looking for quick cash.
Just before 5 a.m., a group of suspects broke through the front door of the Ampm on Shattuck Avenue.
Once inside, they stole cigarettes and cash from the register, and attempted to force open the store’s ATM.
Video footage from the scene revealed a shattered front door and an ATM that had been violently tampered with in their efforts.
Eyewitness Accounts and Growing Concerns
Clerks at gas stations in Oakland have become increasingly accustomed to the threat of robberies, and one cashier, who requested anonymity for his safety, recounted a harrowing experience.
He described how a group of at least eight individuals stormed into the store, ordering another cashier not to intervene with threats of violence.
“It was the other cashier. They told him, ‘Don’t do anything, or we will kill you,’” the cashier recalled.
“Then they came over to the ATM, and they tried to break it open with a big hammer.”
Fortunately, the robbers were unable to access any cash from the ATM, but the extensive damage they left behind underscores the lengths to which they were willing to go.
In total, the suspects managed to steal around $300 along with a significant quantity of cigarettes.
Disturbingly, this was not the first time the cashier had faced such a threat; he revealed that he had been robbed just two weeks prior at the same gas station, during which robbers held a gun to his head.
Police Response and Community Impact
Despite the trauma of these events, the cashier expressed some relief regarding the Oakland Police Department’s response times.
He noted that officers arrived at the scene within two minutes on Sunday, a significant improvement compared to previous incidents where response times could stretch to 10 or even 20 minutes.
“Before, the response times were really slow,” he said, reflecting on the anxiety that accompanies such violent crimes.
“But now, they’re getting here much quicker.”
The string of robberies has left many in the community on edge, raising concerns about safety in their neighborhoods.
As gas station clerks continue to navigate the risks of their jobs, the need for increased security measures and community support becomes ever more pressing.
As Oakland grapples with this wave of robberies, the impact on the local community is palpable.
The fear and anxiety experienced by gas station clerks and customers alike illustrate the broader challenges of crime in the area.
With police response improving and community awareness growing, residents hope for a safer environment where such acts of violence become a rarity rather than a norm.
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