Guard, others charged in Oakland “inside job” armored car robbery
OAKLAND — The June 27 armed heist of an armored truck outside an East Oakland bank where more than $100,000 in cash was stolen was an “inside job” that has resulted in robbery and other charges being filed against a guard driving the vehicle that day and his uncle, according to authorities and court records.
The girlfriend of the guard has been also been charged in the case with helping hide the money and other suspects are being sought, authorities said.
Charged with second degree robbery in the Loomis Armored Car Company truck heist are Damien Jackson, 23, who authorities said was driving the truck that day, and his uncle Duane Jackson, 35. Damien Jackson is from San Leandro and his uncle lives in Oakland.
According to court records Damien Jackson has admitted his involvement in the robbery.
Although police never released the exact amount of cash taken, according to a special allegation contained in the criminal complaint against the pair, the loss was over $100,000. Authorities said some of the stolen money was used to buy vehicles and a motorcycle.
Duane Jackson, a convicted felon, is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, and illegal possession of body armor. Damien Jackson is also charged with possession of an assault rifle and third degree criminal firearm storage.
Damien Jackson’s girlfriend, Mercadiez More, 25, who authorities said aided the suspects afterward, is charged with receiving stolen property and third degree criminal firearm storage.
Police have not said how they were able to identify the suspects. Some of the stolen money has been recovered, but authorities have not said how much.
Duane Jackson was arrested Oct. 16 at his East Oakland home where police recovered three handguns and a rifle. According to court documents he admitted owning the rifle. Damien Jackson and Moore were arrested Oct. 17 at the San Leandro apartment where they lived.
Three handguns and two rifles, all unregistered, were found at the apartment, according to court documents. Another handgun was found inside a car Moore was driving.
The robbery happened about 10:50 a.m. June 27 in a parking lot outside a Wells Fargo Bank branch in the Foothill Square Shopping Center, 10700 MacArthur Blvd. where a delivery of cash was about to be made. Authorities said Damien Jackson was driving the armored truck.
Two masked men, one armed with an assault rifle and the other with a pistol, confronted Damien Jackson and the truck’s other guard and fled with the cash in a car. Authorities said Duane Jackson was one of the masked robbers and police are still trying to identify the second man.
No one was injured and the robbers never entered the bank.
According to court documents, Duane Jackson has two prior felony convictions, one for first degree residential burglary in Sacramento County in December 2009 and another for second degree burglary in Contra Costa County in December 2009. He was placed on probation in both cases.
Duane Jackson is being held in lieu of $635,000 bail and Damien Jackson is being held in lieu of $230,000. Moore is free on $40,000 bail. They are all scheduled to appear in court Nov. 22 to enter pleas.
Check back for updates
—