Antioch: Gang plotted how to scout robbery victims and get away with murder

ANTIOCH Contra Costa Sheriff s investigators raided a home on the block of Vinewood Way expecting to find guns phones and evidence related to robberies and shootings by the notorious Tre- gang a group with origins in San Francisco but has been pushed out to the East Bay The deputies likely didn t expect the evidence to be laid out so explicitly In the home of suspected gang members Jalin Washington and Don-Juan Watson administration say they identified a little black book entitled Welcome to the Bay It contained handwritten notes on how to plot robberies scout casualties evade authorities surveillance and what to do in the event of a murder according to police testimony Testifying at a preliminary hearing for Washington Watson and two others Contra Costa Sheriff s Detective Jeffrey Jackson commented the notebook had extensive instructions that revealed just how much detail and planning can go into street robberies It included tips and moves like wearing a mask when buying a pay-as-you-go cellphone with cash and keeping a robbery kit that includes wet wipes a change of clothes and equipment to swap out license plates on cars It mentioned to burn clothes only if someone dies Jackson testified Another entry was about how to use scout cars They should be purchased online preferably for less than and contain unarmed people who can communicate with robbers about good anticipated targets Jackson testified Hot or stolen cars should be used to commit the actual crimes the manual mentioned according to Jackson The entries also contained lists of fixed license plate readers around the city of Antioch the detective testified In a parked Honda outside the home where the manual was discovered police reportedly ascertained such a robbery kit complete with latex gloves a loaded Glock pistol a screwdriver cleaning wipes and extra clothes But the car also contained a biological bracelet with the name Jalin perhaps betraying one of the manual s instructions to not leave behind evidence in vehicles that police can use to identify a suspect Police raided the home that backs up to Hillcrest Avenue during the research into the killing of -year-old Basel Jilani a Lafeyette resident who Watson and Washington allegedly trailed from East Contra Costa to Lamorinda The two allegedly pulled over and Washington wrestled a Rolex away from Jilani fatally shooting him in the process Police later used ballistics evidence from another shooting and license plate readers to trace the car and the homicide to both persons of interest Washington ended up pleading no contest to manslaughter and other charges for a -year prison term while Watson received years for pleading no contest to robbery