Habitat for Humanity workers in Oakland robbed

(10-02) 18:22 PDT OAKLAND -- A group of people working at a Habitat for Humanity construction site in East Oakland that former President Jimmy Carter will visit next week were robbed at gunpoint, police said.

The incident happened at the site of a 12-home development at 9507 Edes Ave. about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday. Habitat for Humanity staff members and AmeriCorps workers were accosted by four men who robbed them of cell phones, wallets and tools, police said.

One of the robbers fired a shot into the air and pistol-whipped a man, who declined medical attention, authorities said.

The assailants fled in two cars. No arrests have been made.

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are scheduled to visit the site beginning Monday to help with the construction. The Brookfield Court development is to open in early 2014, said Habitat for Humanity spokeswoman Krysta Morgenthaler.