2 Solano County Men Accused In Lafayette Home-Invasion Robberies

LAFAYETTE, CA — Two Solano County men have been arrested in connection with home-invasion robberies that occurred Oct. 31 and Nov. 26 in Lafayette, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.

Multiple people detained were Thursday morning when law enforcement personnel with the Fairfield Police Department SWAT team and Lafayette Police Department served arrest and search warrants at a residence on the 500 block of Pacific Avenue in Fairfield, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Spokesman Jimmy Lee said in a news release.

Joseph Wells, 22, and Adama Diop, 20, both residents of Fairfield, were among those detained Thursday morning; the pair was ultimately placed under arrest on suspicion of their involvement in the two Lafayette home-invasion robberies.

"Since the home invasion robbery on Oct. 31, Lafayette police investigators, assisted by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division, have worked continuously on this case," Lee said.

In addition to the two Lafayette robberies, Lee said multiple area law enforcement agencies have been investigating home-invasion robberies that occurred Oct. 29 in Oakland and Nov. 10 in Benicia.

"The agencies began coordinating their efforts once investigative leads were developed and similarities between the four cases were established," Lee said.

Guns and numerous other items believed to have been stolen during the robberies were recovered from the Fairfield residence Thursday morning by Lafayette police investigators, Lee said.

In the Halloween robbery in Lafayette, the sheriff's office said there were three suspects, one armed with a pistol. One suspect apparently knocked on the front door, while two others hid. When a resident opened the door, he was assaulted and forced back inside.

The suspects reportedly spent an hour inside the home, stealing valuables and personal items, then escaped in the victims' BMW which was later found abandoned in Oakland.

In the Nov. 26 Lafayette home-invasion robbery, the sheriff's office said three people entered the home though an open garage door, assaulted the man of the house and restrained both residents. After going though the home stealing valuables and personal items,the suspects, at least one of whom was armed with a pistol, left the victims still restrained inside the house.

It took the victims several hours to free themselves and call police. Both residents suffered minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment, the sheriff's office said.

Wells and Diop were expected to be booked into the Martinez jail Thursday once investigators were done interviewing the pair. Both men will be booked on suspicion of charges including: residential burglary, kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, stolen vehicle and conspiracy, Lee said.

The Lafayette Police Department thanked the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland, Fairfield and Benicia police departments for their assistance in investigating the series of violent crimes.

"The arrest of these home-invasion robbery suspects is the result of good police work," said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. "It was a combination of following up on leads, a critical tip from a citizen who reported something suspicious, and teamwork among the law enforcement agencies involved."

As the investigations continue, anyone with information on the Lafayette cases is asked to contact the Lafayette Police Department at 925-283-3680 or 925-299-3234. Tips can be submitted by sending an email to 94549TIP@gmail.com or by leaving an anonymous voice message by calling 866-846-3592.