A Florida family is bringing their son home from Oakland, California, after being robbed in broad daylight while dropping him off at college. Rhomel Crossman, a football player from Coconut Creek, Florida, was eager to start his journey as a defensive tackle at Lincoln University. However, his excitement was quickly shattered when his family’s belongings were stolen during their trip.
The family flew to California on Saturday to register Crossman for classes. While parking their rented Nissan Rogue just a block away from the campus and picking up food from a nearby Jamaican restaurant, the SUV’s windows were smashed, and their luggage was stolen within 15 minutes. Among the stolen items were $3,000 in cash, three passports, social security cards, Crossman’s high school diploma, and birth certificate.
Crossman’s mother, Nerissa Murray Watson, expressed her disbelief, saying, “I didn’t know that these things happen in America, so it’s really strange to me.” The family called 911 but was advised to file a report at the police station instead. “To me, it’s lawless because we even called the police three times, and they said they can’t come,” Murray Watson added.
A witness reported seeing masked men in a car without a license plate in the area at the time of the robbery. Additionally, a sleep apnea machine was stolen, causing Crossman’s aunt, Coren Leslie-Green, to experience stress and anxiety.
Following this distressing experience, the family decided to pull Crossman out of Lincoln University. “I have to bring back my son to Florida because it’s not safe here,” Murray Watson stated.
This incident contrasts sharply with statements from Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who recently boasted about lower crime rates in Oakland. According to Oakland Police Department data, crime has dropped by 33% compared to the same period in 2023. “These results are a clear and concrete example of the effective partnership with state, local, and federal law enforcement in Oakland and the surrounding East Bay,” Newsom said in a June 11 statement. “Ensuring the safety and security of Oakland residents, we will continue to make our communities safer by taking down crime and holding individuals accountable.”
