OAKLAND — The man wanted in a shooting last year at the East Oakland home of a likely FBI informant — mere days before bombshell federal raids as part of a sweeping public corruption investigation — was arrested Friday morning, authorities said.
Hermelindo Olber Ramosramos, 25, was taken into custody in East Oakland, about a week after Alameda County prosecutors charged him with shooting at an inhabited dwelling and shooting at an unoccupied vehicle. He was booked into the Santa Rita Jail, according to jail records on Friday afternoon.
Investigators suspect Ramosramos opened fire during a June 9 incident at the home of Mario Juarez, a longtime political operative and two-time Oakland City Council candidate. He is also likely unindicted “Co-Conspirator 1″ in the alleged bribery and pay-to-play scandal that federal authorities revealed in January, when they charged ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her significant other Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong, the father-and-son owners of California Waste Solutions, with conspiracy and other federal offenses.
While no one was injured in the June shooting, the ordeal sent shockwaves through the local law enforcement community, given Juarez’s value as a potential witness in the federal corruption probe. Eleven days later, the FBI raided Thao and Jones’ home, as well as residences belonging to David and Andy Duong.
Details of Ramosramos’ alleged involvement in the June shooting remain shrouded in secrecy. A probable cause declaration — essentially, authorities’ written justification for making an arrest or filing charges — has not been made public in his court file, and other records in his case have been sealed.
Police also have not revealed the suspected motive behind the shooting.
Authorities say Ramosramos confessed and that a second man — believed to be a driver — was also arrested, but not charged.
Reporter Harry Harris contributed to this report.