Residents in San Lorenzo and Cherryland are on edge as the Alameda County Sheriff's Office investigates a series of brazenly attempted car thefts, with suspects going so far as to fire guns when confronted. The string of incidents began on New Year's Eve when deputies were called to the 1900 block of Via Sarita in San Lorenzo following reports of gunfire; a homeowner found a bullet had shattered their front window after a failed attempt to steal their car, with the culprits fleeing before any harm could come to those inside the residence.
On New Year's Day, the danger escalated when a resident on Angus Way confronted an armed assailant trying to steal his vehicle, the masked suspect then opened fire on the homeowner before escaping in a dark-colored sedan, the suspect fired additional shots further down the road as they fled creating a scene straight from a Hollywood chase but fortunately no injuries were reported in both incidences. According to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, these attacks are possibly connected due to their similarities.
In response to the violence, the Sheriff's Office emphasizes the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspicious activity or attempted vehicle thefts immediately, recommending that citizens be observant and able to provide detailed descriptions of suspects and their vehicles. The ongoing investigation is currently being handled by the county's Gang Suppression Unit, which is gathering information and following leads.
The authorities are calling on the public to aid in their investigation, urging anyone with insights into these reckless crimes to come forward. Multiple anonymous options are provided for witness tips, including a dedicated tip line and a section on the office's website. The law enforcement community is taking these incidents seriously and is determined to crack down on the culprits responsible for this recent spate of crime.
