Aug 10 2020

Piedmont Robbery Update

Piedmont Police Department Press Release –

On July 19th, an armed robbery occurred on Caperton Avenue in Piedmont. The victim and his daughter were confronted by an armed suspect, who displayed a handgun, and demanded the victim’s wrist watch. The suspect fled with an additional suspect in a black sports type car.

Detectives were able to identify a possible suspect vehicle by utilizing the Department’s Public Safety Cameras. Further investigation revealed that this armed robbery vehicle was associated to several other robberies in Berkeley and Orinda. Detectives from the three agencies, working together, were able to confirm the same vehicle, and suspects had committed robberies in all three cities.

Search and arrest warrants were obtained and served on Wednesday, July 26, 2020.

SHANE DOWNS, JOHN DOWNS, and GRACE MURPHY were arrested on the 5800 block of Adeline Street in Oakland. The suspects were individually charged with several crimes including; robbery, probation violations, gang enhancements and firearms charges.

The following three suspects were booked into Santa Rita Jail:

SHANE DOWNS – Oakland resident born in 1997

JOHN DOWNS – Oakland resident born in 1995

GRACE MURPHY – Oakland resident born in 1964

Anyone with information and/or inquiries related to this case are asked to please contact Detective Jeff Spranza or John Lagios at (510) 420-3013.

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