Three suspects have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and weapons crimes as well as the theft of a French bulldog, police in Pinole announced Tuesday.
Officers responded Thursday at approximately 12:36 p.m. to a report of a robbery in progress at an apartment in the 500 block of Sunnyview Drive.
The victim and a witness reported that multiple suspects forced open the front door and held the woman inside at gunpoint.
The suspects ransacked her apartment and stole her property, including her French bulldog, “Chanel.”
The suspects fled in a stolen, black Dodge Charger, police said. The California Highway Patrol saw the vehicle moving westbound on Interstate Highway 80 near Fitzgerald Drive and a pursuit ensued, but it was terminated due to public safety concerns.
After the pursuit ended, the Charger was involved in a two-vehicle collision on I-80 near University Avenue. All three suspects fled the area of the collision, but officers soon captured and arrested all three, police said.
Police allege that they found a rifle, two pistols and items belonging to the robbery victim inside the Charger.
Unfortunately, Chanel the bulldog was not located after she fled the collision.
The suspects in custody are Oakland residents Asim Sami and Keomi Branch, both 18, and Sierra Smith, 19, of Richmond.
Police allege that the suspects confessed to the robbery.
This is an ongoing investigation and if any has any additional information, please contact the Pinole Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (510) 724-1111.
That’s so sad that the dog wasn’t found. I despise people who steal, but stealing someone’s pet is even worse, the poor dog is probably scared out of it’s mind. Hopefully she will be reunited with her owner soon.