This is a partial list of crimes in Berkeley from June 30-July 5 prepared by the Berkeley Police Department:
Armed Pedestrian Robbery – Russell and Milvia Streets – On June 30, 2011 at approximately 9:00 p.m., a 25-year-old Berkeley man was walking home westbound on Russell Street near Milvia, when he was confronted by two male suspects in their late teens. One suspect pointed a black handgun at him while the other checked the victim’s pockets. The two suspects stole a cell phone, wallet and contents. Both fled on foot, south on Adeline. The victim was not physically injured during the crime.
Strong Arm Robbery – Oxford and Cedar- On July 3, 2011 at about 9:50 p.m., a 21 year old Berkeley man was walking home when he was startled by a male suspect who asked him for the time, then quickly snatched an iPhone from his hand. Almost simultaneously, the victim told officers, a second male suspect who was behind him grabbed his wallet. The two suspects fled northbound on Oxford Street and out of sight. The victim picked up his wallet that had been discarded. A small amount of cash inside had been stolen as well. The victim was not physically injured during the crime.
Strong Arm Robbery – 1300 block of Henry Street – On July 3, 2011 at about 9:53 p.m., a 20 year old Albany man told BPD officers that he was out for a job and was in the 1300 block of Henry Street. He saw a male sitting at a bus bench. The victim then saw another male suspect approaching him from the left while the suspect who had been on the bus bench immediately got up and got behind the victim. The two suspects began throwing punches at the victim, one of them landing a punch to the side of his head. The victim handed over his iPhone and the two suspects ran west on Berryman Street. Although the victim was visibly shaken, he did not have any visible injuries. Officers flooded that area but did not find the suspects.
Robbery via strong arm and Kidnapping – 2700 Block of College Avenue – On July 3, 2011 at about 10:55 p.m., a 22 year old Berkeley man was walking southbound on College Avenue when he approached three male suspects on the sidewalk. Two suspects walked behind him while the third suspect walked along side him and demanded his backpack. When the victim began walking faster, the two suspects who were behind him pushed him to the ground and pointed knives at him. They took his wallet and cell phone from his pocket then forced him into the backseat of a dark sedan, drove a block then “threw him out” on the 2700 block of Benvenue Street. BPD officers checked the area but did not locate any suspect, evidence or additional witnesses. The victim complained of pain but refused medical attention.
Robbery via threats – 1900 block of University Ave – On July 5, 2011 at about 9:40 p.m., a 26 year old Berkeley man was sitting at the bus stop in the 1900 block of University Avenue, when he was approached by three male suspects. One of the suspects asked the man what time it was and asked to borrow his cell phone. The man offered the suspects the time but refused to let them borrow his phone. After refusing to give up his phone, one of the suspects threatened him and reached to his waistband suggested he had a gun. The victim handed his Apple iPhone to one of the suspects. The three suspects then fled eastbound on University Avenue on foot. Officers did extensive area checks but did not locate the suspects. The victim was not physically injured during the crime.
Robbery via strong arm -College Avenue and Garber Street – On July 5, 2011 at about 9:55 p.m., a 19 year old Berkeley man was walking home by himself in the area of College Avenue and Garber Street when he saw two men standing around and smoking just ahead of him. As he passed the two men, one grabbed his Apple iPhone out of his hand, while the other suspect punched him and tried to steal his shoulder bag. The suspects then fled southbound on College Avenue. The victim refused medical attention at the scene.
Robbery via strong arm – Woolsey and Tremont Streets – On July 5, 2011 at about 10:48 p.m., a BPD officer heard a woman screaming in the area of Woolsey and Tremont Streets. The officer found a woman who told him she had just been the victim of a robbery. According to the 27-year- old Oakland resident, she was walking eastbound on Woolsey when a male suspect walked up to her and blocked her path. The suspect then grabbed the victim’s iPhone and attempted to grab the shoulder strap of her purse. The victim lost her grip on her phone and then fell to the ground. The victim was able to kick the suspect and scream for help. Neighbors in the area heard the victim screaming and yelled out to the suspect to leave her alone. The suspect let go of the victim’s purse and ran to a waiting light colored unknown make or model that was last seen leaving the area south on Tremont Street. An area check for the van and suspects was fruitless. The victim sustained abrasions to her elbow and pain, but would seek her own medical treatment.
