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May 7, 2012

The thing about home invasion robberies ...

The victims might know the robbers -- or vice versa. Think about it: Do the victims of home invasions ever turn out to be targeted at random? That's really only in the movies.

The Walnut Creek police issued an advisory about two women and two men who barged into a house on Countrywood Drive just after midnight Monday, held the residents at gunpoint, ransacked the place and then left. Police say two women -- one in her mid- to late 20s and the other in her mid-30s -- suddenly showed up in the back yard of a house and asked a resident to use the phone. When the resident turned to get the phone, the two women and two men -- who had initially been out of sight -- barged into the house.

At least one of the robbers had a handgun, and the robbers ordered the residents to lie on the floor. The robbers carried some stolen property out through the garage, loaded up a car and drove off.

This is a serious crime, no doubt, and when there's a gun involved, someone could get hurt or killed. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this incident.

And the police are right to put out an advisory. For one thing, maybe there is someone in the neighborhood who saw or heard something that can help police locate the robbers.

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if someone in that house knows who the robbers are -- or at least has a good idea.

A headline about a home invasion robbery can raise public fears that a band of armed thieves is rampaging through our neighborhoods, picking out homes that look loaded with loot.

Having covered crime here in the suburbs and in West Contra Costa County, I've never found that to be the case. Usually, the robbers are targeting a specific home or a specific person living there.
The reasons vary, but the victims -- if they are willing -- can offer the police useful information about their assailants.

Still, there's always a chance public can help. And here is information from Walnut Creek police about the suspects:

  • Hispanic male, early 30’s, thin build
  • Hispanic male, early 30’s, large/heavy build
  • Hispanic female, mid to late 20’s, medium build
  • Hispanic/White female, mid 30’s, thin build
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Bruce Jower or Detective Scott Moorhouse at (925) 943-5844.


5 comments:

Limeridger said...

Unless it was an insurance scam/setup, the fact that the homeowner may have knowledge about the robbers seems irrevelant. Whoever it was reportedly used threat of deadly force to conduct the robbery. There was another home invasion robbery in Pleasant Hill the next day. I have lived in the Bay Area most of my life, have friends in law enforcement, and there definitely has been an uptick in this type of crime including smash and grabs and problems with the WC bars. It didn't use to be dangerous to walk down Monument at night. You were not likely to see a fight or arrests in front of WC bars. It appears that Oakland and West Pittsburgh (renamed Bay Point because reputation was so bad) have expanded and our once safe/quiet suburbs are worse off for it.

Ryan Clark said...

Thank you for the comment and to the author of the article, despite your belief that the victims usually know the assailants in this case you are dead wrong! I was one of the victims and throughout this harrowing event I have seen several articles bringing up the idea that we were in some way connected to the assialants. First of all, why would this matter unless it was an insurance scam as Limeridger stated. The fact is is that my roomate previously owned a jewelry store and they knew about it. So down the line we probably know someone who knows them or a friend of theirs that tipped them off to this! But with what we had to go through and the having feared for our lives, this information could only be helpful to the police, yet does not concern you or your readers. So next time why don't you try and concentrate on articles more informative, correct, or helpful!

Locksmiths said...

Residential burglars work mostly during the day and when a residence is more likely to be unoccupied. Most burglars work alone and tend to probe a neighborhood looking for the right residence and the right opportunity. Alarm signs and decals, bars on windows, strong locks and doors, big dogs, and alert neighbors can sometimes deter burglars.

IT Consultant Dallas said...

Prevention is always the preferred method in dealing with criminal activity. Successful crime prevention deters events from taking place, thereby avoiding victimization in the first place. While it is not always possible to deter crime, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of home invasion robberies.

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