Teen carjacking suspects lead San Leandro and Oakland Police on wild rides
An 18-year-old man and three juvenile males were arrested on suspicion of armed carjacking in San Leandro last Thursday night, arrests that came only after two high-speed police pursuits and a manhunt in an Oakland residential neighborhood involving police canine units, according to a press release by the San Leandro Police Department.
Police are only releasing the name of the adult suspect, Berkeley resident Bud Landers. The names of the three juveniles, a 16-year-old from Hayward and two 17-year-olds from Oakland, are being withheld.
The carjacking took place at 7:45 p.m. outside a residence in the 200 block of Bristol Boulevard. A male resident was in his driveway when he was approached by two of the suspects. One of the suspects was brandishing a handgun. The two suspects drove off with the victim’s Toyota Camry and were followed by two other suspects in a Nissan Versa. Police believe the Versa was used to drive the four suspects to the area.
The victim quickly reported the crime to police. Members of the SLPD Tactical Operations Team happened to be in the area working a crime suppression detail when they witnessed the stolen Camry followed by the Versa. The officers attempted to stop the Camry, but the driver accelerated, leading to a high-speed pursuit onto Interstate 580. The officers eventually called off the pursuit for safety reasons due to the excessive speeds attained. A description of the stolen vehicle was broadcast to law enforcement agencies in the area.
Deputies from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department spotted the Camry several minutes later and gave chase but lost sight of it on Oakland’s Seminary Avenue. SLPD officers soon spotted the stolen vehicle parked on 76th Avenue in Oakland and set up surveillance. They witnessed the four suspects get back into the vehicle, at which point police tried to stop the car, but the suspects escaped, leading to another high-speed pursuit through Oakland’s city streets. At this point, Oakland police officers, including an Oakland helicopter unit, got involved in the chase.
The suspects eventually abandoned the stolen car on Walnut Street
The stolen car was seen turning onto the 4700 block of Walnut Street, following which the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into several yards in the residential neighborhood. Police canine units from San Leandro and Oakland were brought in to search the yards. All four suspects were found hiding in side yards and backyards of the neighborhood. One suspect was found hiding in a backyard shed.
The four teens were arrested on suspicion of carjacking. Landers was additionally charged with firearm-related charges, as he was in possession of the handgun. Police later learned that the Nissan Versa used in the crime had been reported stolen in Santa Clara. Police are still searching for the vehicle. It is described as light silver-blue in color and has a California license plate number 6VBM769. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Leandro Police Department at (510) 577-2740.
“The vicitm’s quick action to call 911 got the necessary information to alert police officers, which resulted in the arrest of four men responsible for a very dangerous crime,” said Lt. Robert McManus of the San Leandro Police Department. “The teamwork between San Leandro Police, the Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies and Oakland Police was instrumental in the prompt and safe arrest of the suspects.”
