Arrest Made In Walnut Creek Rolex Robbery, Police Say

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A Pinole man is facing charges associated with the robbery of a Rolex watch in June in Walnut Creek, police said Thursday.

Walnut Creek police arrested 40-year-old Kalelle Lamar Dawson on Sept. 1 in connection with a robbery that took place June 2 at a gas station on Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Walnut Creek, the Walnut Creek Police Department said in a news release.

"Dawson, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a firearm with its serial number removed, ammunition, and marijuana for sale," police said.

Following his arrest, Dawson was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Tuesday, Dawson was charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of stolen property and possession of marijuana for sale.

"Walnut Creek Police would like to thank our partners at the FBI Safe Streets Task Force for their assistance in the warrant service, and for all officers and detectives involved in this investigation," Walnut Creek PD said.

Police said they continue to follow up on leads and have now made three arrests in connection with the recent series of Rolex street robberies.

On Aug. 15, Richmond residents Shaune Walter Rogers, Jr., 34, and David Lopez, 33, were charged in connection with an attempted robbery Aug. 11 at the Ygnacio Plaza Shopping Center in Walnut Creek.

The victims were a man and his wife who were returning to their car after eating at a local
restaurant in the Plaza. It is alleged that Rogers and Lopez approached the couple with handguns drawn and demanded a silver and gold Rolex watch from the male victim. It is alleged that after a struggle, both Rogers and Lopez repeatedly struck the victim on the head with their weapons.

While the suspects were attempting to flee in a stolen car, the female victim used her SUV to block them from leaving. Her vehicle was rammed several times before Rogers and Lopez drove off, the DA's Office said.

Walnut Creek Police — with assistance from a Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office helicopter — found and arrested Rogers and Lopez about a mile from the scene of the crime.

The male victim was later treated for his injuries at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

Rogers and Lopez remained in custody Thursday — Rogers in lieu of $1 million bail and Lopez in lieu of $940,000 bail — with court appearances scheduled for Friday morning, jail records showed.

Jail records for Dawson were not available Thursday.

Police asked anyone with information on the series of Rolex street robberies to call the WCPD anonymous tip line at 925-943-5865.