Suspect No. 4 Nabbed In Coffee-Shop Robbery In San Leandro

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A male suspect was arrested this week, bringing the total to four facing charges in connection with a laptop robbery that allegedly occurred at a San Leandro coffee shop last month — a case that also involved another man, two teens and a crashed vehicle, according to authorities.

Officers were called Sept. 30 shortly before 2 p.m. to Starbucks at 1057 MacArthur Blvd. after a laptop robbery was logged and a car was crashed and abandoned on MacArthur Boulevard, the San Leandro Police Department said.

Witnesses said an individual entered the eatery, swiped a patron's computer and then dashed from the store to a waiting car, parked along MacArthur, police said. After the theft, customers, including the laptop's owner, chased the man to his getaway car to prevent him from leaving, "which led to it crashing and being abandoned in the center median," officials said.

The suspect, later identified as a 24-year-old Oakland man, along with three others inside the vehicle, ran "in various directions" from the wrecked car, police said.

Two Oakland females, 16 and 17, quickly were found and detained by officers, police said.

However, the suspect, and another 18-year-old male, also from Oakland, evaded law enforcement by fleeing into backyards and into the San Leandro Creek, police said.

After a search, that included the San Leandro department's "Unmanned Aerial Systems," suspect Kevin Perry, 18, was located in a home on the 800 block of Cary Drive, the agency said.

The 24-year-old, meanwhile, elluded arrest until Tuesday when the man, identified as Labari Perry (no relation to Kevin Perry), was found and apprehended on the 5900 block of Fortune Avenue in Oakland, police said.

Investigators determined "the four suspects together planned out this theft, which each having their own role in the robbery," the department said.

On Wednesday, detectives presented the case to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, the agency said. Eighteen-year-old Perry and 24-year-old Perry were expected to be charged with suspicion of robbery-related charges and were booked at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

The teen female suspects were taken to Alameda County Juvenile Hall, where they were expected to face suspected robbery charges, as well, officials said.

“Unfortunately laptop thefts are occurring quite frequently, not just in San Leandro, but in many cities throughout they Bay Area," San Leandro police Lt. Ted Henderson said. “However, to combat these thieves, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of your laptop being stolen.”

The department offered the following advice for locals who frequent coffee shops and work on computers:

• Be aware of surroundings, and if possible, wear only one of the two earphones so you still hear if there are emergencies.
• Consider picking a spot that is not near the doors, as those are easy access for thieves, police said. "Try not to sit with your back to parking lots or other open spaces so you will be aware of persons approaching."
• Never leave personal property unattended.
• Notify police immediately by calling 911 if victimized, but refrain from confronting or chasing suspects as that can prove dangerous.
• "Be a good witness, take note of suspect(s) descriptions, clothing, a direction of flight, getaway vehicle and license plate information," police said."Your safety and the safety of others is most important in these circumstances."

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