With the recent rash of armed robberies, walking in Berkeley has become somewhat of a hazardous sport.
In addition to the two men who were robbed in front of Top Dog on Durant on Sunday (and reported today on Berkeleyside), on Sept. 13, there were three armed robberies in one day. (One occurred in Oakland). On Oct. 5, another person was held up with a shotgun.
Now there is some good news. Berkeley police are reporting the arrest of six people believed to be responsible for two sets of the robberies.
Police have arrested Brynell Polk, 19, Keiarris Hall, 18, and twins Michel and Markell Glover, both 18, in connection with the following crimes. The details were provided by Berkeley police officer Casimiro Pierantoni in his regular email newsletter.:
Robbery via shotgun on the Ohlone Greenway, 1300blk of Cedar
On 10/13/10 at about 7:52 p.m., a male was walking on the Ohlone Greenway when he was approached by three black males wearing hooded sweatshirts. One of the suspects was armed with a shotgun and pointed it at the victim, while the other two suspects stole the victim’s fanny pack. The suspects fled on foot prior to police arrival and were not apprehended.
Robbery via shotgun at Russell St and Wheeler St
On 10/13/10 at about 9:47 p.m., three black males approached two victims near Russell St and Wheeler St. One of the males pointed a shotgun at one of the victims, while the other two suspects stole personal belongings from both victims. The suspects were last seen fleeing the area on foot eastbound on Russell St. The suspects fled prior to police arrival and were not apprehended.
Robbery via shotgun in North Oakland
While searching for the suspects in the abovementioned robberies, BPD officers learned that Oakland Police were investigating a similar robbery that occurred at Hudson St and Boyd St in north Oakland. The suspects in this case were also three black males armed with a shotgun. A witness to the robbery provided description of the suspect vehicle and a partial license plate. Officers conducted an area check for the suspects and suspect vehicle but were unable to locate either.
Robbery suspects captured by BPD Drug Task Officers on 10/14/10
On 10/14/10, Drug Task Force officers on routine patrol spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle that was provided by the Oakland robbery victim. Officers stopped the vehicle near Prince St and King St and were able to locate evidence inside the car that tied the suspects to the abovementioned robbery spree on 10/13/10. Officers arrested all four occupants inside the vehicle.
In addition, Berkeley police arrested Dario Whitty, 22, and Damian Green, 18, in connection with the following crime:
Robbery via shotgun at Prince St/ Ellis St
On 10/05/10 at about 9:30 p.m. a male was walking near Ellis St and Prince St when an unknown male walked up behind him. The male demanded the victim’s money and belongings while brandishing a shotgun at him. The victim gave up his belongings and watched the suspect flee in an unknown colored sedan. The suspect vehicle fled prior to police arrival and was not apprehended.
Robbery suspects captured by BPD Detectives on 10/13/10
While investigating this case, Robbery Detectives determined that the suspect(s) had fraudulently used the victim’s credit cards soon after committing the robbery. After identifying the suspects from video surveillance, detectives served a search warrant at the suspects’ residences and were able to apprehend both.
