3 arrested after 12,000 cigarettes stolen from Livermore business, police say

By Tim Fang

Authorities in the East Bay have arrested three people on suspicion of grand theft after thousands of cigarettes were stolen over the weekend, police said.

According to the Livermore Police Department, officers were called to an unnamed business on Old First Street around 3:15 p.m. Police said about 12,000 cigarettes were stolen.

Officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle, as it traveled westbound on Interstate 580. Coordinating with the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle was stopped near 164th Avenue in San Leandro.

Police arrested three people inside the vehicle, identified as 24-year-old Robin Cooper, 23-year-old Alonza Holmes and 20-year-old Robert Benjamin. The suspects, who are all Oakland residents, were arrested on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy.

According to jail records, Holmes and Robert are being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.