Police warn of armed robberies in San Leandro neighborhood

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KTVU) - Police in San Leandro are investigating two armed robberies where the suspects targeted parents who had just dropped their children off at school.

Investigators are asking the public for help.

Both armed robberies took place in the quiet Washington Manor neighborhood filled with families.

The most recent incident was Monday morning when a 59-year-old father of four was confronted at his home.

The Castillo family tells KTVU their sense of security is gone.

"We never felt that way until now. It's just scary. It sucks because they kind of took the safety from our home," said Pia Castillo, whose father was robbed at gunpoint in their backyard.

On Monday morning around 8 a.m., Castillo's father walked through through a side gate after dropping off his daughter at school.

Castillo said her dad was confronted by one masked man who pointed a handgun at his head and then was joined by two other armed men.

But they weren't able to get into the home

"This is always locked like that," Castillo told KTVU as she pointed to the back glass sliding door.

Inside, Castillo's mom saw what was going on through a window and called 911. The thieves took dad's wallet and ran off when they saw the mother on the phone.

"I can picture my dad's face, helpless, not being able to protect his home and his family and it just kills me," said Castillo.

On October 8th, police say the same robbers appear to have targeted another man and his wife at their home.

In both robberies, the fathers had just returned from dropping off their children at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo. Some parents at the school say they had not heard about the robberies.

"I got really concerned. I have a son over in this school. I don't want nothing to happen to him and I don't want anyone to follow me," said Arroyo High parent Laura Aguilara.

Police said both victims are Asian. Investigators are trying to see what else the victims may have in common that might provide clues to the suspects' identities.

"Whether they eat at the same restaurant, whether they shop at the same store, they attended the same sporting events. Something that would bring them together," said Lt. Robert McManus.

Police say in the first robbery, the suspects fled in a late model dark blue Nissan Rogue.

Pia Castillo is now using social media to get the word out about what happened to her father in the hopes that the thieves will be caught soon.

"You took a piece of my dad's dignity; our feeling of safety," said Castillo.

Police say the men were wearing black hoodies with masks over their faces.

According to Castillo's father, the suspects appear to be in their late teens or early twenties.