Home-invasion victims shaken but relieved
(KTVU) - Here's KTVU crime reporter Henry Lee's Rap Sheet blog for October 7, 2016:
HOME INVASION VICTIMS SHAKEN BUT GRATEFUL: Six men have been arrested and charged in a frightening series of home invasions and burglaries in the East Bay, and some of the victims are thanking law enforcement.
Tarell Brown, 19; Ronald James Fluker III, 19; Bobby Ray Williams, 20, Marrico Williams, 19; Tommie Ray Woods, 19; and Torion Young, 18, are allegedly members of a criminal street gang.
They've been implicated in incidents in Danville, Livermore and Fremont. Authorities are investigating whether the same men are tied to a shooting of a school board member in Orinda and similar incidents in Dublin and other cities.
The first incident happened on March 24 when the six broke into a home in Danville, authorities said.
According to prosecutors, the men are the ones seen in a widely-circulated surveillance video of a break-in at a home on Pilgrim Loop in Fremont on Aug. 28. The group of men, armed with weapons, can be seen crouching in the home, apparently ready to attack, authorities say.
The victims weren't home at the time but watched the incident unfold on their security system and called police. A resident of the home told KTVU that Fremont police did "really good work. I appreciate it. I hope they catch more people."
Then, on Sept. 28, two of the suspects entered the garage of a home on Conejo Drive near Danville after the victim arrived home, Contra Costa County sheriff's officials said. They stole some of his personal belongings and carjacked him of his Honda Pilot.
One man fled in the Honda while the other fled in a second vehicle with paper license plates. Danville police spotted the cars as they approached Interstate 680 and chased them onto Highway 24 before canceling the pursuit. The Honda was later found abandoned in Oakland.
A day after that incident, the group broke into a Livermore woman's home while she was inside. She told KTVU she was "shaken to the core" but added, "I am thankful for the Livermore PD and their quick response, and will assist all efforts toward conviction of individuals responsible."
The men also committed another burglary in Livermore that same day, authorities say.
The men have been charged with criminal street gang conspiracy, home invasion robbery, carjacking and residential burglary. They also face enhancements for use of a gun and "street terrorism," the criminal complaint states.
Their bail ranges from $2.3 to 4.7 million each.
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