An Albany resident who thought they were simply helping out new neighbors by offering flowers from their garden was, in fact, the victim of a calculated distraction burglary. The incident, which occurred last Tuesday, was swiftly followed by a similar report involving two women with matching descriptions at another Albany home, evidencing a pattern of deceptive tactics targeting homeowners, as reported by the Albany Police Department on their Facebook page.
Quick to act, Albany Police initiated a traffic stop last Wednesday after spotting the red Honda Pilot described by the victims. The vehicle was filled with five individuals, with two taking flight on foot before police could apprehend them. Despite being chased, they were observed slipping into a blue Ford Expedition that was later intercepted in the Whole Foods parking lot on Gilman Street. Two individuals again attempted to dodge the law, running from the second traffic stop, but this time, with the help of a Berkeley Police unit, one was caught.
Six women were arrested and charged with felony burglary and conspiracy, with the added note that three among them were already sought for similar crimes, bearing active felony warrants.
