OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Authorities say more than a dozen people were detained early this morning in Oakland as the result of a yearlong police investigation.
Just what exactly was being investigated has not been detailed. One of the four locations that was raided by authorities was the often-troubled Your Black Muslim Bakery in Oakland.
Stakeout in the East Bay: Map of the Scene
The late Yusuf Bey was the founder of Your Black Muslim Bakery, famed for its bean and carrot pies and known as having an open door to struggling families. Bey's reputation took a hit in later years as he defended himself against rape allegations in Alameda County.
Most of those charges were later dropped, and one was pending when he died.
More recently, Bey's son and some other young men were identified as the young toughs who bashed liquor bottles in Oakland corner stores and berated the owners for selling alcohol in the community.
Some north Oakland residents near the bakery said they weren't surprised that members were apparently under police investigation.
KCBS' Holly Quan reports that some believe the bakery is simply a front for a cult.
Neighborhood reaction: KCBS' Holly Quan
"I was right in front, I was right there," one woman described to Quan on San Pablo Avenue. She said she has seen the brainwashing firsthand of some of her family members. "Right where that van is, that police van, I was right there and they came and literally crowded around us like around us, like they were all here in our faces."
Another neighbor holds police have all the evidence they need to take the suspects off the streets and out of the neighborhood.
"I don't patronize the bakery because I don't believe in what they stand for, you know, in my personal opinion I think they are convicts that are dressed up in a bow tie.
Also, longtime Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey was reportedly researching an investigative piece into Your Black Muslim Bakery before he was shot and killed just yesterday morning.
It remains unclear whether that killing is connected to today's heavy police activity at the bakery.
A news conference is scheduled later today to provide more details.
KCBS Team Coverage: KCBS reporter Holly Quan live on the scene
KCBS Team Coverage: KCBS' Bob Melrose on slain reporter Chauncey Bailey's last story
KCBS Team Coverage: KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier on Your Black Muslim Bakery
Photos courtesy of CBS-5.
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