Bakery Arrests Linked To Journalist's Murder

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 3, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- There are new details on the murder of a prominent East Bay journalist. From the start police believed Bailey was marked for murder -- not just a random crime. Police are making quick progress explaining who they think did it and why.

Oakland Police stormed the north Oakland neighborhood surrounding the Your Black Muslim Bakery before dawn Friday morning. Police also made the point that this Muslim group is not the same as the nation of Islam headed by the Minister Lewis Farrakhan. The raid meanwhile yielded results.

Howard Jordan, Oakland Police Assistant Chief: "The search warrant yielded several weapons and other evidence of value, including evidence linking the murder of Chauncey Bailey to members of the Your Black Muslim Bakery."

The evidence in the form of a weapon was discovered Friday morning as Oakland police, with the assistance from several jurisdictions, attempted to serve a number of search warrants for some serious felonies.

Lt. Ersie Joyner, Oakland Police Dept. "This investigation began in May of this year. This investigation started with a very violent kidnapping, robbery and torcher case. During that case it became apparent to us immediately that members of the 'Your Black Muslim Bakery' had some involvement in the case that we described."

The investigation expanded to two homicides within four days of each other in July and occurred in proximity of the bakery. As that investigation was proceeding, Oakland Post Editor Chauncey Bailey was murdered Thursday on a downtown Oakland street. Police say they had no reason to believe that Bailey was in jeopardy, neither did his publisher Paul Cobb.

Paul Cobb, Oakland Post Publisher: "I had no reason to believe there would or would not be, because I never had a reason to believe that anyone would kill Chauncey Bailey. I wasn't even thinking in that direction. We routinely get threats on stories that we do all the time."

Yusef Bey the fourth was among the nine people still being held in custody. Two other suspects are still at large.

Lisa Wright, neighbor "We heard three loud explosions this morning, I guess it was about 4:30 or 5:30, something like that - just bam, bam, bam!"

Early morning raids shook the Oakland neighborhood that is not used to this kind of police action.

Walter Johnson, neighbor: "I have never seen nothing like this down here before - nothing like this."

Police blocked off several streets as they conducted their search for evidence keeping out merchants unable to open their stores.

Abdul Hussein, store owner "It affects my business, I want to open my small business so I can make a living, and this is really hurting you know."

Police expressed remorse that their investigation didn't conclude in time to save Bailey's life.

Howard Jordan: "It was very disheartening to hear about this incident and particularly disheartening to know that it was connected to our investigation. Needless to say we are a professional organization and we were prepared to conduct our operation this morning and it was very unfortunate that Mr. Bailey was killed as a result or prior to this incident."

Police aren't discussing a motive, nor are they discussing anything about their evidence or the investigation. They are still hoping some other witnesses may come forward.

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