More Arrests Follow San Leandro Bank Robberies

Police have arrested three additional suspects in connection with four San Leandro bank robberies and one attempted heist between June 1 and June 8.

The arrests come about one week after authorities arrested two Oakland residents, Germaine Ramsey, 43, and a 16-year-old male, whose name is being withheld because he is a minor, on June 8 on suspicion of — Bank of the West earlier that day, plus 1st United Services Credit Union on Bancroft Avenue on June 1.

The pair were also arrested on suspicion of attempting to rob three banks, including on Lewelling Boulevard just 15 minutes before the Bank of the West robbery and two banks in Oakland.

San Leandro Police have said the bank heists are connected and that in each incidence, a demand note was presented to bank employees during the commission of the robbery but no weapons were involved.

According to police, detectives received information on Friday identifying a suspect authorities believe is responsible for robbing the on East 14th Street on June 2.

In coordination with the Oakland Police Department, officers arrested an additional 16-year-old male, of Oakland, on suspicion of bank robbery at about 1 p.m., police said.

The suspect has since been booked into Alameda County Juvenile Hall, according to police. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether to file charges against the teen and whether he will be charged as an adult.

On Thursday, police say, they received information that Jonathan Sanders, 21, was responsible for the June 7 robbery at on East 14th Street.

According to police, Sanders is originally from Boston but had recently moved in with relatives in Union City. Detectives say they learned other family members in the home are currently on parole for unrelated offenses.

Authorities worked with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as well as with officers from the Union City Police Department, to arrest Sanders at about 5:20 p.m. yesterday on suspicion of robbing the bank, police said.

Sanders is scheduled to be arraigned at the Hayward Hall of Justice on Monday.

On June 10, officers arrested 20-year-old Jovonnie Moore, of Oakland, on suspicion of assisting the robbery, police said.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has not filed criminal charges against Moore due to lack of evidence, but he is currently being held on a parole violation, police said. 

Since her arrest on June 8, Ramsey has been charged by the District Attorney’s Office with bank robbery, attempted bank robbery and feloniously evading police during the high-speed vehicle pursuit that led to her arrest.  She remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

The teen, who was in Ramsey's vehicle at the time of the police pursuit and attempted to escape from officers, according to police, has been charged by the District Attorney's Office as an adult and remains in custody at Alameda County Juvenile Hall in San Leandro.  

An unspecified amount of stolen cash was recovered from the teen, police said. 

Officers are working with the FBI and other Bay Area law enforcement agencies to determine whether or not any of the arrested suspects are responsible for other crimes, police said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Alex Hidas at 510-577-3239 or the  San Leandro Police Department’s Anonymous Tip line at 510-577-3278.