Crime rates and the prevalence of robberies in Oakland show no signs of slowing down as retired Alameda Superior Judge Gloria Rhynes became the latest victim, robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight, according to a tweet by Henry K. Lee of KTVU. This alarming event adds Rhynes to the growing list of public officials targeted in recent months, including fellow retired judge and former Alameda County DA prosecutor Kevin Murphy, who was robbed at gunpoint just a few weeks ago.

 

I’ve learned ret. @AlamedaSuperior Judge Gloria Rhynes, who still hears cases, was robbed near 19th & Franklin downtown after leaving an ATM. @oaklandpoliceca on the case. Judge Kevin Murphy was robbed near parking garage earlier this month near 13th & Madison pic.twitter.com/Cdvi7ojIIM

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) June 29, 2023

 

Rhynes, who served on the bench for 20 years before her retirement in 2018, was leaving a business on the 1900 block of Franklin Street when the perpetrator, armed with a handgun, approached just after 5 p.m. The suspect quickly seized her possessions and made their escape in a getaway car, leaving Rhynes shaken but unharmed.

The Oakland Police Department confirmed that it is actively investigating the crime but has not released any information on a potential perpetrator. However, two unnamed law enforcement sources provided the San Francisco Chronicle with the identity of the victim as Gloria Rhynes, who has not yet made a public statement on the incident.

Notably, Rhynes shares a similar background with Kevin Murphy—both were former Alameda CountyDA prosecutors before serving on the bench. 

The recent uptick in crime rates, particularly robberies and violent incidents in downtown Oakland, has undoubtedly alarmed many residents and public officials.