Million-Dollar Crime Ring Busted Up; Vacaville Police Assist

BAY AREA, CA — A crime ring responsible for a million dollars in cell phone thefts has been busted up, according to Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley. Dozens of agencies participated in the investigation that brought down the crime syndicate, including the Vacaville and Fairfield police departments.

Eight people were arrested, and warrants were issued for four more suspects.

“These bold robberies endangered the victims as well as the communities in which they took place. I am dedicated to ensuring that each participant in this criminal enterprise is brought to justice,” says DA O’Malley. “The investigation and operation were professional and well executed and I thank all our partner agencies for their hard work and dedication.”

UPS and Federal Express drivers delivering cell phones to cellular telephone stores were targeted by the thieves. They would rush the drivers, grab boxes of merchandise and run to vehicles that had paper dealer plates.

"In some cases, force or fear was used in the crimes," O'Malley's office said in a news release.

Investigators got a break when the Pleasant Hill Police Department was able to lift a palm print left at one of the thefts by a suspect. Once that person was identified, the probe led to the other defendants.

On Thursday, Aug. 29, arrests were made in Oakland, San Leandro and Pittsburg. One accused man, Isaiah Langley, 23, was arrested in Lake Forest, Illinois.

The following defendants were arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court this week:

• Ahlayah Thompson, 24, of Ripon
• Corneilus Ronnell Brown, 25, of Alameda
• Cedric Thomas, 28, of Pittsburg
• Yamonte Tyrell Cross, 24, of Oakland
• Ciera Craig, 26, of Oakland
• Alisa Bobino, 25, of Oakland
• Diamond Jones, 24, of San Leandro

The four suspects who have not yet been arrested are all Oakland or Discovery Bay men. They have been identified as Fard Collins, 24, of Oakland; D’Anthony Larks, 24, of Oakland; Marquis Lewis, 23, of Oakland; and Julius Smith, 23, of Discovery Bay.

In addition to stolen goods recovered during the arrests, police seized weapons, including an assault rifle, and other physical evidence.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office led the arrest and search operation. Other agencies participating in the investigation:

• Alameda Police Department
• Berkeley Police Department
• Brentwood Police Department
• CHP-Investigative Services Unit
• Concord Police Department
• Daly City Police Department
• El Cerrito Police Department
• Fairfield Police Department
• Fremont Police Department
• Livermore Police Department
• Milpitas Police Department
• Modesto Police Department
• Novato Police Department
• Oakland Police Department
• Petaluma Police Department
• Pittsburg Police Department
• Pleasant Hill Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
• Sacramento Police Department
• San Jose Police Department
• San Leandro Police Department
• Santa Maria Police Department
• San Mateo Police Department
• Tracy Police Department
• Union City Police Department
• Vacaville Police Department
• Walnut Creek Police Department

UPS and Fed-Ex security representatives also cooperated in the investigation.