Henry S Johnson and Larry C Ward
SAN LEANDRO —Two alleged Rolex watch bandits were charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office on October 31—for committing violent armed robberies while in the presence of children.
Victims reported being robbed at gunpoint of their expensive watches throughout the summer. San Leandro police said such robberies occurred in several cities east of San Francisco.
A gunshot was fired at a victim on Vistagrand Drive during a holdup in San Leandro on July 24; another watch robbery happened September 12 on Heather Glen Lane in San Leandro.
“These violent crimes committed in our community, in the presence of children, are unacceptable to our quality of life. Our investigative staff persistently worked on these cases until the suspects were identified and brought to justice,” said San Leandro police in a prepared statement.
Detectives from several law enforcement agencies collaborated to identify suspects, which enabled San Leandro police to arrest two men in Oakland last month, who are believed responsible for committing Rolex robberies in San Leandro.
Henry S. Johnson, a 23-year-old resident of Antioch, was nabbed on October 26. Johnson is charged with assault with a firearm on a person, second degree robbery, and willful cruelty to a child.
Johnson is being held at Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $400,000 bond; scheduled to appear in court for a plea hearing on November 16. He also was previously arrested on various firearms charges.
Larry C. Ward, a 22-year-old resident of Oakland, was locked up on October 11. Ward is accused of robbery, several firearms charges, and willful cruelty to a child. He’s in custody at the county jailhouse for $400,000 bond. His rap sheet includes prior arrests for burglary, exhibiting a weapon and robbery, among other charges.
