Teen Thugs Commandeer Entire BART Train In Oakland, Then Rob And Assault The Passengers
An Oakland BART train was overrun by teens who robbed passengers. (NBC Bay Area)
Teens Overrun BART Train, Rob Passengers
Oakland, CA – 50 to 60 juveniles ran wild on Saturday evening on a Bay Area Rapid Transit train, first by storming aboard the train and then committing multiple strong arm robberies and assaults on passengers.
The incident occurred about 9:30 PM at the Coliseum Station aboard a Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train. Witnesses reported seeing the juveniles jumping the fare gates, going to the platform, and boarding the train, according to CBS SF Bay Area.
Several bags and cell phones were stolen from passengers in strong arm robberies. A BART spokeswoman said that there was a total of seven robberies on the train. She said that one purse, one duffel bag, and five cell phones were stolen.
At least two people were injured and treated for facial and head injuries. Witnesses did not report seeing the juveniles with weapons.
The juvenile thugs fled into surrounding neighborhoods before police officers could arrive.
Security camera footage of the suspects was being gathered but will not be shared with the public, due to the suspects being juveniles. The video footage will be shared with the Oakland Police Department, local schools, and the Oakland Housing Authority in an effort to identify the suspects without the public’s assistance.
BART has a new Police Chief, Carlos Rojas, who was hired last week. He has said he wants to increase the number of police officers on trains and in stations.
The agency is also replacing cameras on trains, since some are decoys, and not helpful when crimes occur. The recent homicide of a 19-year-old who was shot and killed aboard a train at the West Oakland station is the primary reason for the camera replacement, since there is no video evidence of this crime.
Juveniles who commit crimes such as this apparently believe they are above the law.
Do you think that the teen thugs would have been able to get away with this in Texas? We’d like to hear what you think. Please let us know in the comments.
