Berkeley Resident Accused in San Francisco Crime Spree

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Five suspects were arrested in a series of robberies this holiday season in San Francisco, police said.

The arrests were made after police stopped a vehicle at 10:17 p.m. Dec. 4 near Gough and Sutter streets that matched the description of one used in a robbery.

Officers arrested 19-year-old Moraga resident Serena Sumpter, 22-year-old Berkeley resident Marcus Murphy, 18-year-old Sacramento resident Katherine Wilson, 18-year-old Oakland resident Keith Smith and 18-year-old Oakland resident Jayonn Blacknell.

The five suspects are accused of robbery, conspiracy and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.

Officers allege that the five attacked each victim before stealing their belongings such as phones, jewelry and purses. In many robberies the suspects used a gun to scare the victim, police said.

Murphy, Smith and Blacknell are also accused of violating their probation as prior felons because a gun was seized in the arrest.

Some stolen property was also recovered.

— Bay City News; Image by Renee Schiavone, Patch

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