SFist previously published a post on an alleged armed robbery that took place in the Oakland Hills, via an email sent to us from a Berkeley cycling mailing group. We now believe that, alas, the story might not have a ring of truth to it. No one has been able to confirm it. Here's the original email:

"This just happened at approx 3pm today. He was a solo bike rider. He had just come down South Pinehurst and turned onto Redwood Rd. Just past the Redwood Park entrance as he was heading up Redwood, a van passed him, then pulled over, a guy jumped out to stop him. He was able to manage his bike around the guy by going into opposing traffic and continued as fast as he could up Redwood. The van took off again after him and passed him again. The biker went to turn around and there was another car involved who pulled up behind him. The guy pulled a gun on the biker, took his gold chain necklace, then took the bike and threw it in the van.

"The van was a 2 tone gray (dark & light gray) 70'ish. It was like one of those workstyle Econo vans with window in the back and the side door. The car was a Nissan 200SX, possibly red in color."

We'll continue to update as we know more. Until then, we deeply regret the error.