An ice cream vendor was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight in Oakland on Monday afternoon, according to the Oakland Police Department. A video of the incident was shared on Citizen, capturing the unsettling moment.
The robbery was reported just after 12 p.m. in the 3900 block of East 18th Street. Two men approached the vendor, brandished a gun, and proceeded to rob him of his possessions, Oakland Police confirmed.
Footage of the incident shows the vendor pushing his ice cream stand down the street when an SUV pulls up next to him. Two individuals exit the vehicle, empty the vendor’s pockets, then climb back into the SUV and drive off.
Fortunately, the vendor was not injured in the robbery. A license plate of the suspect vehicle was visible in the video: 8JJL319. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact the OPD Robbery Section at 510-238-3326.
This incident shines a light on the risks faced by small, often vulnerable, street vendors. It highlights the need for community vigilance and effective law enforcement to prevent such crimes and ensure the safety of all residents.