5 Terrifying Attacks This Week in East Bay Driveways Prompt Safety Tips from Police Chief

EAST BAY AREA, CA — A series of attacks in at least five different East Bay communities injured three people and left residents badly shaken as they contemplate their own safety.

The first happened in Orinda on Monday, when a couple was approached by two men in Halloween masks as they were unloading groceries in their driveway. The husband was pistol-whipped, while the wife was shot twice.

• Orinda Investigators Searching Video For Suspects Who Shot School Board VP
• Update: Woman Shot Twice, Man Pistol-Whipped in Orinda Robbery

The following night in Pinole, a woman was confronted in her driveway. Several shots were fired, and she was injured by flying glass. When her husband opened the front door to see what was happening, shots were fired at him.

• Shots Fired at Pinole Couple in Front of Their Own Home

On Wednesday night an entire string of robberies happened in driveways and a garage, but no one was injured. The robberies happened in Brentwood, Antioch and Danville.

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There was another robbery in Pittsburg, although the exact details are unclear, and a woman in Livermore was attacked when she went out to her car last Friday night.

• Woman, 'Punching and Kicking,' Fights Off Would-Be Kidnapper: Livermore Police

As a result of the attacks, Lafayette Police Chief Eric Christensen sent an email bulletin to residents of his town offering safety tips. Here is his advice:

"The best defense to a robbery is for an individual to be fully aware of their surroundings. When driving your vehicle, be aware of where you are driving and if someone is following you. If you are being followed, don't go
home or get out of the car. Call the police and drive to a public place where you can be met by officers. The most typical robbery is of an individual who has just been at a casino or a bank. The crooks see you with cash and know what they are going to get.

"When you get home, look around the driveway and make sure it is safe for you to exit your car. When you are exiting your car, don't become preoccupied with things in the trunk or back seat. If you have to spend time to remove something from the trunk, stop and take a look around once in a while. Remember, crooks love the dark, so you can't see them coming and you can't identify them later.

"Check the front porch light, the motion light in the driveway, and the decorative lighting that you may have in the front of your home to ensure that it is all working and aimed properly.

"Most cars have an emergency button on the key fob. When you get out of the car, have that in your hand with your finger on the button. If you feel something is wrong, press the button to alert other people. Most Importantly, Trust your instincts. If you think something is out of place or is wrong, don't ignore
your feelings - act upon them. If you see someone or something that is odd or out of place, please give us a call.

"If you are confronted by a robber, especially one that is armed, give them your purse, your wallet, your keys, anything that they demand. No piece of property is worth getting injured or killed over. In most cases the suspects are just as afraid as you are - don't force them into making a mistake. Once you are in a safe place, call the police immediately."

Remember:

• Trust your instincts
• Remain alert and observant
• Don't be afraid to call the police
• Keep outdoor lights on at night
• Keep your doors and windows locked
• If someone tries to get into your car while you are stopped, drive away quickly.

During a robbery:

• Stay calm
• Follow the robber's directions
• Watch the robber as he/she leaves

—Image via Shutterstock