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Police have arrested three men for an armed robbery spree that took place over seven months in the East Bay.
From August 2023 through February 2024, the suspects were allegedly connected to 11 robberies, including seven in Hayward, one in Livermore, one in Fremont, one in San Leandro and one in Castro Valley.
Hayward police said Friday, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, they arrested 42-year-old Jaray Washington, from Oakland, on Feb. 13. Washington is believed to be responsible for all 11 robberies.
They also arrested 24-year-old Oakland resident Cameron Watkins on March 11. Authorities believe Watkins took part in two robberies with Washington.
Police also arrested 26-year-old Concord resident Deante Hunt on April 4 for allegedly taking part in two robberies with Washington.
The men are suspected of multiple crimes, including robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated kidnapping, and various weapons violations.
“I want to thank the detectives for their hard work and coordination with our allied agencies,” Livermore Police Chief Jeramy Young said in a statement. “Jaray Washington is a violent repeat offender who has been previously convicted for armed robberies in the South Bay Area. We will be tracking this case as it moves through the criminal justice system.”
Hayward police said during each robbery, at least one suspect brandished a firearm.
In some cases, the subjects allegedly moved employees and/or customers to other parts of the businesses and forced employees to hand over cash from registers and/or safes while being held at gunpoint.
The suspects also allegedly forced employees and customers to hand over their personal property while at gunpoint before fleeing the scene.
Multiple agencies collaborated with Hayward police during the investigation, including the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, San Leandro Police Department, Fremont Police Department and Livermore Police Department.
Editor’s note: Embarcadero Media Foundation East Bay editorial director Jeremy Walsh contributed to this story.
Editor’s note: Bay City News Service issued a correction on Monday after the prior version of their story misidentified the genders of the arrestees. The suspects are all men.