Lamorinda Manhunt Called Off After Laptop Snatch At St. Mary’s College Wednesday
Lamorinda police – with help from outside agencies – threw up a perimeter in the area of Moraga Way and Orchard Road after three suspects sped away officers after a strong-arm laptop theft at St. Mary’s College in Moraga Wednesday.
The suspects, driving an older model black Jeep, sped from the college shortly after the incident was reported at around 10:40 a.m., speeding out of town on Moraga Way until the car was stopped at gunpoint by officers. One person was detained at the scene. Two additional suspects fled, with one detained later and one still on the run as of this writing (12:07 p.m.).
UPDATE: Ordered lockdowns at Glorietta Elementary, St. Mark’s and Holy Shepherd churches were lifted by police at 11:58 a.m.
Force was used in this robbery and no weapons were seen. Police are looking for a black male in his early 20s, who was observed shedding clothes as he runs through backyards in the area of Moraga Way and Orchard.
Glorietta Elementary, Holy Shepherd and St. Mark’s have been locked down as police search for the outstanding suspect.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter was orbiting the search area as was, apparently, a police drone.
Officers later determined that two of the suspects entered a campus building and went to a classroom occupied by one person. One of the suspects held the classroom door open while another walked up to a priest, momentarily distracted him and stole the laptop. The suspects ran out of the building to a waiting car that was driven by the third suspect.
Deonta Lee, 25, and Javaries Johnson, 22, both of Antioch, were transported to the Contra Costa Jail, Martinez, where they were booked for charges including grand theft, probation violation and possession of stolen property. The laptop was recovered and returned to the owner.
Moraga police thanked witnesses they said came forward and provided critical information about the incident. Anyone else with information is asked to contact Detective Kevin Mooney atΒ 925-888-7056.
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Thanks for the FLASH, J.D… My son is at Glorietta School. Keeping an eye on things…
You are quite welcome, GF… we’re sure things will end well soon.
Your local college campus. A target rich environment I would reckon.
(Edit)Two out of three —- going for the hat trick.
I’m a little surprised they did this at St. Mary’s where there’s so many people around. That and no real escape route. Then again, most criminals aren’t very smart in the first place. Great reporting JD.
@Eric – On the heels of another incident out at the college, a robbery by knife not too long ago. But, you’re right, LOTS of people saw this one go down.
(Edit)Why is there no Nixle report for this, I wonder. Qualifies as an emergency
@Douglas – Unknown, Douglas. We just concentrate on doing what we do! If you like your news alerts Hot and Fast – Get the Flash!
Thanks for those flashes. If this hadn’t been such a crappy thing they would have been fun to read!
@Michael – Ha! Yes, our Flash Man is positively winded. Attention diverted to another part of the county, at present! He’s a good man.
Thanks for the info. And for being a reliable news source. We wondered what was going on.
@Tim – Our pleasure. Thanks for riding with us!
(Edit)At the college????
@Alice – Yes, ma’am.
Thanks. I always know where to go to get the answer.
@Walt – ;-}
They must be taking precautions at Starbucks.
They stole from a priest or one of the brothers? God isn’t going to like that.
(Edit)Wow.
they don’t have computers in Antioch?
(Edit)A lot of crimes lately in central County seem to be committed by people from Antioch. It is strange that they want to come out this way to do crimes. I guess they just cruise around looking for an opportunity. Kind of scary! Thank you Lord Maranda law enforcement for the great job. I worry though with our criminal justice system in California that they’re probably already released from jail.
(Edit)PS: I meant to say Lamorinda , not Lord Maranda π
@Greg – Frankly, we like Lord Maranda and intend to use it at the next possible opportunity!
Well that was interersting. I wonder whats going to happen tomorrow!
Thanks for the updates. You were the only ones with any information.
I obviously missed some crucial information, why did these idiots steal the computer in the first place ?
Lord Maranda – priceless! Go to church and read him his rights all rolled into one. That was pretty clever Greg…