Man charged in two Oakland shootings at strangers' on Highway 24

"The suspect, Carlos Ray Thomas of Oakland, was charged Monday with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, two counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. According to court records, his prior felony conviction was in 2004 in Alameda County for vandalism over $400 damage. He is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail and is scheduled to enter a plea on Friday."

"The California Highway Patrol said one of the vehicles struck was a truck driven by a woman, who was unharmed. According to court documents, she told the CHP she was driving when she heard three-to-four shots coming from behind her with one shattering her rear window. When she looked back, she saw a man in a dark-colored SUV holding a handgun outside the driver's side window, authorities said. She remained at the scene."

"A few minutes later, the CHP was notified by a man calling from his home that his vehicle had also been shot at and hit by the same gunman in the same area on the highway, according to court records. He also was not hurt. The CHP said multiple witnesses called 911 and provided a description of the suspect's vehicle."

"At about 4:08 p.m. on Oct. 10, Thomas crashed his vehicle in the center divide on southbound Interstate 680 near Olympic Boulevard in Walnut Creek. Thomas got out of the vehicle and tried to flee on foot but was arrested by CHP officers without incident, authorities said. The gun believed to be used in the shooting was recovered."

Carlos Ray Thomas of Oakland faces five felony counts including assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The incidents occurred about 3:45 p.m. Oct. 10 on eastbound Highway 24 west of Tunnel Road and struck two vehicles; both drivers were unharmed. One driver reported hearing three-to-four shots that shattered a rear window and seeing a man in a dark-colored SUV with a handgun. A second vehicle was also reported shot. Thomas crashed on southbound Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, attempted to flee, was arrested without incident, and the suspected gun was recovered. He is held without bail and has a 2004 vandalism felony on record.

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