Two Days, Three Robberies — Thieves Get Big Haul in Stolen Cigarettes

Armed robbers held up a local Cigarettes R Cheaper store on Monday, Nov. 11, escaping with thousands of dollars' worth of cigarettes — in the five-figure range, an Alameda Police Department spokesperson said.

That was just the first of three robberies in Alameda Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, Alameda detectives continue to investigate an armed robbery attempt that occurred on Park Street last week.

At Cigarettes R Cheaper, in the Park Street Landing strip mall at 2327 Blanding Ave., a man armed with a handgun entered the store a little before 5:50 p.m., APD Lt. Jill Ottaviano said.

The man held a store employee and the employee's sister at gunpoint in a back storage room while an unseen accomplice took large quantities of cigarettes from the front section of the business, Ottaviano said.

Both victims are relatives of the store's owner, she said.

The following day, an Alameda man had his jaw broken during a late afternoon argument that turned physical outside his Eagle Avenue apartment, Ottaviano said.

A third person entered the fray and also attacked the victim, but both assailants fled when a neighbor came outside, she said.

When the victim went inside, he discovered that cash and jewelry had been stolen from his apartment, she said.

Ottaviano said it appears the victim was acquainted with at least one of the suspects. 

Police arrested Randolph Jones Jr., 23, on suspicion of robbery, battery with serious bodily injury and resisting arrest in connection with the incident.

A few hours later, a man who was looking to buy illegal drugs was instead robbed of his cell phone and cash, Ottaviano said.

The man had arranged to buy drugs on Central Avenue a little before 8 p.m., she said.

When the victim arrived, he found the dealer had brought along an accomplice, she said. The pair forced the victim to hand over his valuables, but no weapon was used in the robbery.

Ottaviano said investigators are also trying to identify the man who attempted to rob a couple driving on Park Street in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 8.

The robber stuck a handgun through an open car window and demanded the victims' belongings, but the couple was able to drive away without handing over any personal items, Ottaviano said.

According to the victims, the robber appeared to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, she said.

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