Drone helps lead to capture of armed robber in East Bay, police say

FREMONT — A drone and community camera footage helped investigators identify and arrest a man suspected of carrying out two robberies of motorists at gunpoint, police said.

A 26-year-old Hwyward man was taken into custody Friday and faces two counts of armed robbery, as well as charges stemming from outstanding warrants, including assault with a deadly weapon, illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said.

Both robberies occurred on Thursday afternoon.

The first happened at 12:20 p.m. at Kato Road and Warm Springs Boulevard. A stranded motorist was waiting for assistance when a vehicle stopped nearby and a man emerged and then threatened the victim with a handgun.

The robber stole jewelry and the victim’s personal property before fleeing the scene.

About an hour later, another armed robbery occurred in the 44000 block of Old Warm Springs Blvd. The victim was parked in his vehicle when a man walked up to his window and pointed a handgun at him. The suspect made off with cash and the victim’s personal property.

Detectives reviewed community camera network footage in the neighborhood and discovered an older white Chevrolet Tahoe was allegedly linked to the robberies, which in turn led them to identify Garcia as a suspect on Friday and secure an arrest warrant for him, according to police.

Undercover detectives located Garcia in the 42000 block of Philadelphia Place.

Officers deployed a drone overhead as they attempted to conduct the arrest. Garcia ran but the drone followed him and he was apprehended, police said.

An unloaded firearm and a separate loaded magazine were found in the area.

The suspect is currently on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said. He has also multiple prior arrests for robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, parole violations, transportation of narcotics for sales and felony evading, police said.

He was booked at the Fremont City Jail and is set to be arraigned Nov. 17.

The robberies remain under investigation. Police said anyone with information can contact Detective Troy Roberts at 510-790-6900 or troberts@fremont.gov.

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Author: Peter Hegarty

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