This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley prepared by the Berkeley Police Department and the UC Berkeley Police Department. For other sources of information on crime in Berkeley see Community CrimeView and Crimemapping.com.
Domestic Violence, Assault With A Deadly Weapon, Argument, Shooting – 1700 Block of Fifth Street – #2011-48182
On August 27, 2011, at about 2:57 p.m., a 23 year old Oakland man became angry with his former girlfriend regarding a new relationship she was in. He was also upset about a small child that they have in common and whether the new boyfriend was good to the child. The 23 year old suspect went to the former girlfriend’s home in the 1700 block of 5th Street with three associates. The suspect attacked the former girlfriend causing visible injuries. A large fight then ensued that moved to the parking lot and a male who was in the domestic violence victim’s home, threw a chair at one of the men who had come with the former boyfriend, now a DV suspect. This suspect then began swinging a cane at another man who had come over with the former boyfriend/DV suspect. The new boyfriend was handed a gun by an associate and fired several rounds that struck the former boyfriend and one of the men he brought over to the home. They were struck in the calves.
The two gunshot victims drove to a local trauma center which had been alerted about the shooting. BPD officers responded to the hospital and detained the men as they were being treated by staff there. Neither sustained life threatening injuries. After a long investigation, a total of three men who were involved were eventually arrested, the 23 year old Oakland man for 273.5 PC –Domestic Violence, (he was victim of a gunshot wound, treated and released into BPD custody) a 25 year old Berkeley man for attempted murder (664/187PC) for the shooting, a 27 year old Berkeley man for assault with a deadly weapon/a chair during the fight and a 26 year old man for an outstanding warrant.
The follow-up investigation is ongoing and some details are protected by confidentiality due to the domestic violence elements of the case. The shooting was not random.
Shoplifting turned Robbery – 2500 block of Bancroft Way – #2011-47983
A woman manager of a retail store in the 2500 block of Bancroft Way watched as a male suspect attempt to steal a jacket on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at about 4:00 p.m. The manager watched as a man entered the store and went directly to the Levi brand jean jackets rack. He tried on a jacket, kept it on, then put his own jacket letterman style jacket over the jean jacket. The manager approached him and requested the jacket back at which time, according to her, “a verbal altercation ensued.” After minutes of arguing with the suspect and the suspect lunging at her, she was able to get the jacket back. The manager described the beginning of the encounter, “He became verbally assaultive and lunged.” She was able to get the jacket was able to the recover the jacket and the suspect fled from the store on foot.
The manager and a witness described the suspect as, “ A Black Male Adult, in his 20s, 5’11”, 150lbs, thin build wearing a navy blue letterman style jacket with white stripes and black pants.
The manager was not physically injured during the crime. Officers checked the area for the suspect, but did not find him.
Robbery – 1800 block of Alcatraz Avenue – #2011-49020
On Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at about 10:00 p.m., two women were walking their cars that they had parked in the 1800 block of Alcatraz Avenue after attending a function. A male suspect walked past them and ducked into the doorway. As one of the women walked up to the driver’s door of her car, the suspect walked up to her, simulated as if he was holding a gun in his jacket pocket. He demanded her purse. The suspect then demanded the friend’s bag who was standing nearby. The suspect then fled on foot and was last seen running east on Alcatraz Avenue after taking the women’s property. The two got into one of the women’s cars and drove to a nearby business to call police. When they returned to the scene of the robbery, they discovered that the other woman’s car was gone/stolen as her car keys had been in her stolen bag. The suspect stole a 2008 white Toyota Matrix.
The victims described the suspect as “ A Black Male Adult, approximately 25/26 years old, 5’10”, 200 lbs wearing a white hoody, black pea coat and dark pants.
The women were not physically injured during the crimes. Officers checked the areas and notified neighboring agencies, but did not find the suspect or the car.
Collision and DUI Arrest – Ensenada and Tacoma Avenues – #2011-48809
A 19 year old Kensington man drove his Chevy into two parked cars on Ensenada at Tacoma Avenues on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at about 4:53 p.m. When BPD Officers arrived, the 19 year old suspect made spontaneous statements that he had been drinking beer. The BPD Case Officer also noted objective signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication including that the suspect driver had watery bloodshot eyes, pale skin and his breath had the strong smell of an alcoholic beverage. The suspect failed to successfully complete several Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) and registered .128 and .123 BAC on the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Device. (PAS) The BPD officer arrested the suspect driver for violations of 23152(a)(b) CVC- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and over .08 BAC and booked him into the BPD Jail.
Theft – 2900 block of Telegraph Avenue – #2011-49169
On Thursday, September 1, 2011, the charge nurse at a medical facility called BPD to report a theft. She told the BPD officer that at about 4:30 p.m. a male suspect stole a one Liter bag of saline solution from the facility that is located in the 2900 block of Telegraph Avenue. The witness, a patient, described the suspect as “a Black Male Adult, bald or short hair, medium build wearing a blue shirt, nothing further remembered.”
Commercial Burglary – 2600 block of San Pablo Avenue #2011-48688
On Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at about 7:10 a.m., the owner of a food business in the 2600 block of San Pablo Avenue reported his business had been burglarized by an unknown suspect or suspects overnight. The owner said he left the business secure at 6:00 p.m. the previous evening. A window had been smashed and the owner told the handling Officer that the only item missing/stolen was the cash register. There was no cash in the register, only receipts. A BPD CSI processed the scene for any prints. The Officer’s Sergeant who was checking the area located receipts in the streets from Dwight Way/ Matthews Street south to Matthews/ Parker Street. The receipts were returned to the owner. The black Royal brand register is valued at $350.
Robbery, 2700 Block of Bancroft Way #11- 48230
On Saturday, August 27, 2011, at approximately 8:50 p.m., a robbery occurred on the 2700 block of Bancroft Way. The male victim, an 18 year old UC student, was walking westbound on Bancroft. As the victim neared the intersection of Bancroft and Piedmont he was approached two males who threatened him and demanded his iPhone. The victim complied and the suspects were last seen fleeing northbound on Piedmont. BPD and UCPD searched the area but could not locate the suspects. The victim was not physically injured during the encounter.
The suspects were described as: Suspect #1 – a Black male, 20-25 years of age, 180-1200 lbs., with shoulder length dreadlocks, wearing a white shirt and gray sweat pants. Suspect #2 – a Black male, 20-25 years of age, 6’02” to 6’03” in height, 180-1200 lbs, wearing a white shirt and gray sweat pants.
Strong Arm Robbery, 2400 Block of Channing Way #11-48231
On Saturday, August 27, 2011, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a strong arm robbery occurred on the 2400 block of Channing Way west of Telegraph Avenue. The male victim, a 20 year old UC student, was standing alone when he was approached by three males. The first suspect pushed the victim and demanded he take out his property. The victim complied and the suspect took the cash in the victim’s wallet. Meanwhile, the second suspect grabbed the victim’s iPhone. The three suspects fled the scene on foot westbound on Channing Way. BPD and UCPD responded and searched the area but could not locate the suspects. The victim was not physically injured during the encounter.
The suspects were described as: Suspect #1 – a Black male, 25-30 years of age, with a medium to heavy build, wearing a beanie cap, a black jacket with a white t-shirt on under it and jeans.
Suspect #2 – a Black male, 25-30 years of age, with a medium to heavy build, short almost shaved hair, cleaner shaven than suspect #3, wearing a grey t-shirt and grey shorts.
Suspect #3 – a Black male, 25-30 years of age, 6”0’ in height, with a medium to heavy build, unshaven, with shoulder length brown twisties, wearing a grey t-shirt and grey knee length shorts.
Policing the City of Berkeley: Quick Facts regarding recent days:
- Between Monday, August 28 and Wednesday, August 31, 2011 there were 7 (seven) residential burglaries that were reported to BPD.
- Between Monday, August 28 and Thursday, September 1, 2011 BPD Officers took eight (8) auto theft reports throughout the city.
- Between Monday, August 28 and Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 7:15P.m., BPD Officers made 31 pedestrian stops throughout the city.
