METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Dozens of teens storm BART train, rob passengers

The incident happened at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum Station in Oakland aboard a Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train.

April 26, 2017
Dozens of teens storm BART train, rob passengers

 

2 min to read


SAN FRANCISCO — Dozens of juveniles stormed a Bay Area Rapid Transit train on Saturday robbing passengers, and in some cases, beating them, CBS SF reported.

The incident happened at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum Station in Oakland aboard a Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train, the report said.

Ad Loading...

According to witnesses, 50 to 60 juveniles jumped the fare gates and after boarding the train, “committed multiple strongarm robberies of bags and cell phones,” CBS SF reported.

For the full story, click here.

Read below for BART's statement:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BART statement condemning robbery at Coliseum Station

Before all else, our hearts go out to the passengers who were victims of Saturday’s robbery, and extend our deepest sympathy and understanding to the employees and patrons who were shaken by these events.

Shortly after 9:30 pm on Saturday evening, two of our station agents at Coliseum station immediately notified police upon the arrival of a large group of juveniles, who apparently came from another event in the area, jumped the fare gates, and robbed seven passengers on one of our trains and platforms. No weapons were reported.

The rapid nature of these crimes maximized the efficiency of the robberies, and allowed them to take place within the few short minutes between the 911 call and police arriving.

In response, we are working with allied agencies to bring the juveniles to justice. We have created additional overtime shifts for officers who will be visibly patrolling stations, and video is being pulled from both the train cars and station cameras. Our investigators will be distributing the footage among local law enforcement agencies as well as school districts, where we have had previous success in arresting juveniles who commit crimes on BART. We are not releasing the footage to the public at this time due to the age of the suspects involved.

Overall, crime has been on the decline, and we want to stress that this robbery is neither reflective of the safety of our system nor of public transportation generally. We strive to provide a safe place for our passengers, and condemn this unprecedented, unacceptable, violent behavior in the strongest of terms. We appreciate the trust our passengers have long put in BART, and are working diligently to reduce the likelihood of this type of crime occurring again.

More Rail

An Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset at a station.
Railby Staff and News ReportsMay 19, 2026

First Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset Arrives in Pacific Northwest for Final Testing

Take a closer look at the next generation of Amtrak Cascades service as the first Airo trainset prepares for passenger operations in the Pacific Northwest.

Read More →
MBTA Green Line Construction
Railby StaffMay 18, 2026

Boston's MBTA Completes Latest Green Line Work

The work took place during 12 consecutive days of shuttle bus service replacement between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle. 

Read More →
King County Metro's bus depot with Schunk Transit pantograph charging infrastructure.

Biz Briefs: King County Metro Taps Schunk Transit Systems for Charging and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
MTA and ASCE officials at plaque celebrating earning the New York Metropolitan Historic Civil Engineering Landmark designation.
Railby StaffMay 15, 2026

New York MTA's Hugh L. Carey Tunnel Lands ASCE Landmark Status

The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel is the fourth MTA-owned property to be granted landmark status by the ASCE.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with HDR's Brian Buchanan
Managementby Alex RomanMay 15, 2026

Managing Complexity: HDR’s Brian Buchanan on Delivering Major Transit Programs

HDR’s transit program management lead discusses the challenges of overseeing large capital projects, adapting to cost and supply chain pressures, and the capabilities agencies need to build for the future.

Read More →
Operation Lifesaver rail safety grant graphic displayed over railroad tracks, highlighting federal funding for crossing safety and trespass prevention campaigns.
Railby News/Media ReleaseMay 14, 2026

Operation Lifesaver Awards Nearly $198,000 in Rail Safety Grants

Operation Lifesaver and the FHWA awarded nearly $198,000 in grants to 10 state programs for rail safety education campaigns focused on crossing safety, trespass prevention, and public awareness initiatives.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
STV's Garo Hovnanian
Managementby Alex RomanMay 13, 2026

The Expanding Role of Advisory in Transit Delivery

Garo Hovnanian explores how agencies can better navigate competing priorities, strengthen decision-making, and prepare for a future shaped by electrification and emerging mobility.

Read More →
An image of empty railroad tracks in Minnesota with white text reading "Federal Railroad Administration Finalizes Rail Rules Aimed at Efficiency and Safety."
Railby Staff and News ReportsMay 13, 2026

Federal Railroad Administration Finalizes Rail Rules Aimed at Efficiency and Safety

See what deregulatory rail rules were finalized to reduce outdated requirements, support innovation, and streamline rail operations without compromising safety.

Read More →
An NJ TRANSIT bus.
Managementby StaffMay 13, 2026

NJ TRANSIT to Expand Cleanliness, Safety, and Accessibility Under New Action Plan

The plan includes investments in cleaner vehicles and upgraded stations, NJT LiveView to provide real-time GPS tracking of train and light rail service, enhanced safety initiatives through a new Real Time Crime Center, and the debut of a redesigned NJ TRANSIT mobile app.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
METRO Biz Briefs cover photo

STV Launches Power Practice and More in Biz Briefs

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from SilverRide, Complete Coach Works, and more.

Read More →