SLPD Hunting Safeway Robbers, Arrest Report Wrong

San Leandro police continue to hunt for five armed men who robbed the Safeway on Bancroft Avenue Tuesday night, but a television news report that an arrest had been made is unfortunately premature, authorities said Thursday afternoon.

Although no one was hurt when the gang of masked gunmen ordered patrons and employees to hit the floor Tuesday night, the boldness of the crime shocked San Leandrans, including one Patch reader who told her story online.

On Wednesday night, Oakland and San Leandro police stopped a van that, they thought, might have been connected with the robbery according to San Leandro police Lieutenant Rick DeCosta.

Upon further investigation that suspicion proved unfounded, however, and the van and its occupants were released, DeCosta said.

But a television news crew reported on the stop and alluded to the possibility of an arrest, setting off a rumor that hit the comments of a Patch story today.

Next Tuesday night, San Leandro police will hold a session on crime prevention. Although it was planned before the Safeway robbery it that will likely serve as a forum on that crime.

Given the public interest, it's a good bet that officers are working every lead possible to insure that Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli doesn't face the citizenry with an unsolved mystery.

Citizens For a Safer San Leandro has helped organize a forum on community policing on Tuesday, October, 2, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Senior Community Center, 13909 East 14th Street. The San Leandro Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit will be on hand to discuss how citizens can help make law enforcement more effective.

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