Crime & Safety

Police Arrest Oakland Man Wanted for 2013 Hercules Home Invasion, Kidnapping

Lawrence Burton was arrested on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping with the intent to commit robbery, false imprisonment, and burglary.

Police arrested an Oakland man Tuesday on suspicion of participating in a 2013 home invasion, kidnapping and robbery, police said today. Lawrence Burton, 28, was making a court appearance on a Solano County case when law enforcement detained him on a Contra Costa County warrant.

Hercules police said they believe Burton broke into a woman’s house on July 23 around 10:30 p.m. He allegedly shined a bright light in the woman’s face and identified himself as a police officer. The man asked if she was alone and when she said, “Yes,” he punched her in the face, said Hercules Detective Connie Van Putten. Van Putten said the man held what the woman believed was a gun up to her head before tying her up with a cord. The man then asked if she had any money or jewelry in the home, Van Putten.

When she said she didn’t, her assailant punched her again and ransacked her house. Van Putten said the woman heard a second man in the house, but didn’t see him. Police are still searching for the second suspect, she said officers were able to collect DNA samples left at the scene that identified Burton as one of the assailants, Van Putten said.

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Officers are meeting with the district attorney today to file charges in the case, she said. Burton was arrested on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping with the intent to commit robbery, false imprisonment, and burglary. He is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $1,175,000 bail.

By Bay City News

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