Oakland Police Chase Ends In Crash, Arrests Of Possible Homicide Suspects
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- A police chase ended with a crash in an industrial area of East Oakland Friday and the arrest of three suspects possibly wanted in a homicide and home invasion in Merced.
The crash happened outside a food-manufacturing plant on 98th Ave. near San Leandro St. at around 3:45 p.m. Oakland police had reported officers were chasing a vehicle along 98th before the crash.
Video from Chopper 5 showed two cars damaged in the crash surrounded by a number of police vehicles.
Oakland police spokeswoman Johnna Watson said the suspect vehicle was wanted in connection with a homicide that happened in another city. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle crashed into a another motorist, Watson said.
It was not clear whether the other motorist or the suspects suffered any injuries.
Merced police said they strongly believe the car and suspects are connected with an early morning homicide and home invasion Friday in that city.
A man was found shot at the front door of his home in the 400 block of Tucolay Court in Merced just after midnight Friday morning. Investigators determined a group of males had entered the residence, shot the occupant and stolen items from inside the home.
The victim has been identified as 34 year old Lajawn Cokley. Cokley's girlfriend, Yolanda Ames, said the men threatened to take her life as well. Ames is in disbelief about the senseless act of violence, saying, "They took a life and an empty safe."
Merced police said detectives headed to Oakland to interview the suspects and are still trying to figure out a motive for the murder. They are not ruling out the possibility that it may have been drug- or gang-related.
© 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. KPIX correspondent Andrea Nakano and Bay City News contributed to this report
