Photo: 900 Oak Street
OAKLAND — A college student is in custody for murdering a man during a cannabis robbery last month. The victim was killed in East Oakland’s Fruitvale shopping district.
The robbery occurred on the 3000 block of East 9th Street on September 26 shortly after 7 p.m. Responding officers located the victim, Jaime Valdovinos, 25 of Los Banos, bloodied and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect evidently set up the robbery of the victim and one other person, who were carrying a large quantity of cannabis. The victim attempted to get the cannabis back and was shot during the ensuing struggle.
The surviving robbery victim positively identified 20-year-old Omar Rojos, as the man responsible for killing his companion. The shooting was also recorded by a nearby surveillance camera.
Oakland PD obtained a warrant and searched an apartment on the 900 block of Oak Street, where Rojos was arrested. Evidence recovered from the apartment includes a gun and clothing that he allegedly wore at the time of the shooting.
Rojos was booked into Santa Rita Jail on September 27, where he remains in custody. Bail for his release has been denied.
Altogether, Rojos faces 10 felony charges, including murder and intentional discharge of a firearm. He also faces two counts of second-degree robbery.
