An Alameda County Superior Court judge was robbed at gunpoint near the county courthouse at around 8:50 a.m. Thursday morning, deputies said.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Alameda County Sheriff's Lt. Tya Modeste said Judge Kevin Murphy was leaving the Alcopark Parking Garage when three males wearing masks approached him at 13th and Madison streets in Oakland's Civic Center neighborhood.
After one of the robbers displayed a gun, the group ordered Murphy to hand over his Rolex wristwatch, wallet and other personal items, Modeste said. The group then fled the scene.
The judge, who was not injured, immediately reported the incident to law enforcement and Alameda County Sheriff's detectives began an investigation with help from Oakland police, Modeste said.
"The fact that it's a county judge and that it happened on county property is the reason [why] we're taking the lead on the investigation," Modeste said.
An Alameda County Superior Court spokesman reached Thursday declined to comment. Murphy could not be reached for comment by publication time.