Photo: Jimmy Ray robbing
BERKELEY— With assistance from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Berkeley police arrested a man suspected of robbing a TV news cameraman in broad daylight. The suspect was found in possession of methamphetamine when he was taken into custody last week.
This armed robbery occurred on August 10 at 5:02 p.m., outside the Congregation Netivot Shalom synagogue at 1316 University Avenue. A video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=8JQzZJrWvWI&feature=youtu.be )
shows the suspect pointing a gun at the cameraman, who handed over a $25,000 TV camera to the suspect.
After reviewing the video, Berkeley police detectives developed information about the suspect. Their investigation culminated in the arrest of 22-year-old Jimmy M. Ray at an apartment in Hayward.
Authorities obtained warrants and searched Ray’s residence and seized nearly one ounce of meth packaged for sale. He was apprehended on September 10 at 6:30 a.m.
Ray is a suspected drug dealer with a criminal record, and he was on probation at the time of his latest arrest. He was booked on multiple charges, including robbery and being an addict in possession of a firearm.
He was transported to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, where he remains in custody in lieu of $270,000 bond.
On September 11, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office filed three felony charges against Ray –
- Second degree robbery
- Possession of a controlled substance for sale
- Felony probation violation
Ray has had several previous run-ins with the law. The last time Ray was arrested was in 2019 for making criminal threats. He also has prior arrests for theft and other offenses.
