OAKLAND — Police investigators around the Bay Area have linked dozens of burglaries to an East Oakland-based gang known as 65th Village, whose members alleged used stolen cars, sledgehammers, and intimidation to steal thousands in merchandise around the region.

The burglary crew is believed to be responsible for store break-ins and robberies in Benicia, Danville, San Ramon, Oakland, Novato, Sunnyvale, Oakley, Walnut Creek, Ashland, and Orinda, according to court records. Most recently, four suspected members of the crew were charged with backing a vehicle through the front-end of a Shell gas station on Broadway in Oakland, while the scared owner scurried into a security room in the back as the suspects grabbed merchandise and fled in three vehicles.

The Shell smash-in occurred on the mor

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