Alleged Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Fremont Bank Robbers Arrested

OAKLAND, CA — Two brothers with criminal records have been charged with multiple felony counts for a string of five armed robberies at banks in Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and Fremont, police said.

Russell Bartlow, 53, and Jerron Bartlow, 36, who live together in the 2000 block of 100th Avenue in East Oakland, were arrested in Oakland last Wednesday and were charged last Friday. They're scheduled to return to Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland on April 10 to enter pleas.

Berkeley police Officer Mike Parsons wrote in a probable cause statement that the Bartlow brothers were arrested for robberies at a Chase Bank branch in Oakland on Nov. 19, a Citibank branch in Alameda on Dec. 19, a Bank of the West branch in Oakland on Jan. 23, a Chase Bank branch at 1870 Solano Ave. in Berkeley on Feb. 9 and at a bank in Fremont on March 18.

A total of at least $40,000 was taken in the robberies, Parsons said.

Security camera footage and motor vehicle records connected the Bartlow brothers to the series of crimes, Parsons said.

One of the suspects wore a security guard jacket and was armed with a small-framed black revolver, according to Parsons.

In addition, a records check indicated that Russell Bartlow was on probation for a conviction in federal court for a bank robbery, Parsons wrote.

When officers searched the brothers' home they found a security guard jacket, black cargo pants, black Nike shoes and a small black revolver that were all consistent with what authorities believe Russell Bartlow wore
or used during the bank robberies, Parsons said.

Russell Bartlow ultimately confessed to four of the five robberies, including both incidents in Oakland and the incidents in Berkeley and Fremont, according to Parsons.

He also admitted to wearing the security guard uniform and being armed with a revolver during the robberies, Parsons said.

Russell Bartlow is charged with nine counts of second-degree robbery and one count each of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with a firearm and possession for sale
of a controlled substance.

Jerron Bartlow is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

Prosecutors say Russell Bartlow has seven prior felony convictions dating back to 1985.

They say he has three convictions for armed robbery, two for second-degree robbery, one for second-degree commercial burglary and one for possession for sale of a controlled substance.

Prosecutors say Jerron Bartlow has a prior conviction for possession for sale of cocaine base.

Russell Bartlow is being held in custody in lieu of $1.2 million bail and Jerron Bartlow is being held in lieu of $410,000 bail.

— Bay City News; Image by Renee Schiavone, Patch