This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley based on information from the Berkeley Police Department and the UC Police Department. The calls for service spreadsheet is available on Google Docs.* See also the San Francisco Chronicle’s regularly published list of arrests in Berkeley. For other sources of information on crime in Berkeley see Community CrimeView and Crimemapping.com.
June 3:
Driving Under the Influence – Seventh Street and Bancroft Way #2012-29325
On Sunday, June 3, 2012 at about 2:39 a.m., a BPD patrol officer saw a black Honda driving at a high rate of speed south on Eighth Street from University Avenue. The Honda then failed to stop at two stop signs, then drove the wrong way around a turnabout at Allston Way and Seventh Street. The officer made a traffic enforcement stop at Seventh Street and Bancroft Way. The driver, a 24 year old Berkeley man showed signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, blood shot eyes, strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath and losing balance when getting out of the car. Based on these symptoms and the driver’s performance on the Field Sobriety Tests, the BPD officer arrested the man for violation of 23152 (a)CVC and booked him into the BPD Jail.
Residential Burglary of Apartment via unlocked Door – 1800 block of University Avenue – #2012-29434
On Sunday June 3, 2012 at 7:45 p.m., a Berkeley woman called BPD to report a burglary. She told a BPD officer that she left her Toshiba laptop on her desk in her apartment. She left the front door unlocked and left the apartment at about 7:00 a.m. When the woman returned home at approximately 4:00 p.m., she saw that her laptop was missing. She did not note any other property that was gone. She called BPD. None of the woman’s neighbors said they saw anyone suspicious or heard anything amiss. The BPD officer documented the crime.
Stolen Auto – 900 block of Allston Way – #2012-29344
On Sunday, June 3, 3012 at approximately 9:34 a.m., a Berkeley man called BPD to report that his van had been stolen from the 900 block of Allston Way . Sometime overnight between 7:00 p.m. on June 2, 2012 and 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 3, 2012, an unknown suspect or suspects took a 1994 white Plymouth Voyager. The BPD officer documented the crime and entered the license plate and van description into SVS – Stolen Vehicle System.
June 4:
Robbery via Strong Arm 2900 block of Harper Street- #2012-29505
On Monday, June 4, 2012 at about 9:07 a.m., two men were walking south on the 2900 block of Harper Street, one of whom was carrying a laptop computer under his arm. A male suspect approached the pair from behind, snatched the computer and ran away northbound. The victim pair pursued the suspect on foot north on Grant Street, through the Grove Recreation Center tot-playground then west on Oregon St. The victim caught up to the suspect a short distance west of Grant Street and began to tussle with suspect over the laptop. The victim’s friend also arrived and joined the fray. The suspect got away with the computer and fled west. BPD officers did area checks but did not locate the suspect. The victim described the suspect as – “a black male adult, mid 30s, shaved short hair, 5’11” – 6’3” tall, skinny build, wearing a maroon sweatshirt and dark colored pants.”
Auto Burglary – 2200 block of Seventh Street – #2012-29525
On Monday, June 4, 2012 at about 11:22 a.m., a male suspect got out of a dark colored new model 4-door Ford Explorer displaying paper plates, smash the driver’s window of a parked, unoccupied vehicle and stole two bags. A BPD patrol officer doing an area check for the suspect and his car saw a dark gray Ford Explorer with paper plates south 8th Street. When the officer tried to make an enforcement stop, the Explorer failed to yield. This suspect and the Explorer are believed responsible for other window smash auto burglaries around the city. Suspect – “ a black male adult, in his 20’s, 5’8-10” tall, thin build wearing a black hoodie. Suspect vehicle – a 2012 or 2013 Ford Explorer, gun metal gray with paper dealer plates.
June 5:
Theft of Catalytic Converters – Various Locations
On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 officers documented three Catalytic Converter Thefts that had happened during the nighttime hours. They were reported in the morning hours as follows: 9:04 a.m. 1500 block of Josephine Street #2012-29677
9:08 a.m. 1500 block of Josephine Street #2012-29684
9:13 a.m. 1600 block of Beverly Place. #2012-29687
The focus of the suspect or suspects were 1998 Toyota trucks in all events.
Parole Warrant, Possession of Narcotics – 2100 block of Allston Way #2012-29650
On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 1:30 a.m., a BPD patrol officer checked a location in the 2100 block of Allston Way where there have been ongoing complaints about trespassers. The officer found a man sleeping under the postings that prohibited trespassing there. The officer did a pat search for weapons and felt an ankle monitor on the man’s leg. The man lied about his name as the computer check of the name given did not reveal any probation or parole for which ankle monitoring would be necessary. During a search incident to his arrest for lying, the officer found a glass pipe and suspected methamphetamine. The suspect finally offered his true name. A records check revealed a parole warrant. The BPD officer booked the suspect, a 38 year old for violations of 11377 (A) H&S – Possession of a Controlled Substance, 11364.1 H&S – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 148.9 (A) PC – False Information to a Peace Officer and the parole warrant.
Probation Search Leads to Narcotics Arrest – 1900 block of Haste Street – #2012-29714
On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at about 12:30 p.m., a group of BPD patrol officers conducted a probation search of the home of a man in the 1900 block of Haste Street. The BPD beat officer knew the suspect from prior contacts and organized the search. The 60 year old man dropped a glass pipe used to smoke meth when the officers entered the home. Officers safely detained the probationer and an male associate who was inside. During the search of the home, the BPD officers found over 8 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, plastic packaging, a cell phone and over $350 in cash. These were seized as evidence. The beat officer arrested the man for violation of 11378 H&S – Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance and 1203. 2 PC – Felony Probation Violation then booked him into the BPD Jail.
Identity Theft – Fraud – 2000 block of Parker Street – #2012-29762
On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at about 3:22 p.m., a Berkeley woman called BPD to report a case of identity theft. She had received a credit card bill with a charge in southern California for over $11,000. She learned that an unknown suspect or suspects had opened a credit card in her name and the large charge was made on that card. The victim needed documentation to challenge the fraud and she had alerted the credit agencies.
Residential Burglary – 1300 block of Watkins Street – #2012- 29801
On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at about 7:39 p.m., a mother and daughter who live in the 1300 block of Watkins Street called to report a burglary of their home. The mother told the BPD officer that she left for work at approximately 7:30 a.m. and her daughter left at 11:30 a.m. When the mom returned home at 7:30 p.m., she discovered that her Apple laptop and iPod were gone. Her daughter’s Apple laptop and iPhone were also stolen. The rear sliding glass door was left unlocked. The BPD officer documented the crime.
June 6:
Stolen Auto – Halcyon Court and Webster Street – #2012-29877
On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, a Berkeley woman called BPD at 8:33 a.m. to report that someone stole her car. She told the responding officer that she parked and locked her 1995 green Honda Civic at about 10:00 p.m. the night before. She parked next to the west curb of Halycon Court just south of Webster Street. At 8:30 a.m. that morning, she went out to her car and noticed that the vehicle was missing. The BPD officer documented the crime and entered the Honda’s license number and description into the Stolen Vehicle System. (SVS)
Drunk in Public Arrest – 2900 block of King Street – #2012-29841
On Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at approximately 12:48 a.m., BPD received a report of a man screaming in the 2900 block of King Street. When BPD officers arrived, they met a man who was yelling profanities and obviously under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. The suspect could not speak in clear sentences, had slurred speech, “reeked of alcohol” and could not care for his own welfare. The beat officer arrested and booked the 63 year old Berkeley man for violation of 647(f)PC to be released from the BPD Jail when sober.
Tagging Arrest – Dwight Way & Dana Street #2012-29843
On Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at about 1:27 a.m., a BPD patrol officer was driving near Dwight Way and Dana Street when he spotted a male suspect tagging. The suspect had a spray can in his hand and was spraying a brown fence there. The suspect saw the police car and started to run but the officer was able to detain him. The suspect had silver paint on his fingertips. The BPD officer arrested the 23 year old for 594(a) PC – Vandalism. Once the City of San Pablo resident’s identity was confirmed in the BPD Jail, he was released with a misdemeanor citation with a future court date.
Snapshots of What Your City of Berkeley Police Officers (BPD) Have Been Doing – Sunday to Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. – June 3-6, 2012 (3 days):
- Between Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 12:53 a.m. and Thursday, June 6, 2012 at 1:24 p.m., BPD patrol officers made 52 traffic enforcement stops throughout the City of Berkeley. This total does not include the BPD traffic/motor officers. During many of these stops, two BPD officers were required for safety. The officers did records checks of the majority of these women and men for license statuses, parole, probation, missing person, restraining orders, wants and warrants statuses. Officer provided dispositions for each stop. Some resulted in not only citations for equipment or moving violations, but arrests for warrants, drugs or DUI – Driving under the influence.
- Between Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 9:58 a.m. and Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 11:59 a.m., BPD officers were dispatched to 27 audible/silent residential and commercial burglary or panic alarms. In the majority of cases, two BPD officers responded, investigated and provided dispositions for each of these calls. In each of these cases, the alarm was deemed to be humor error such as hitting a button my mistake, incorrect codes, no codes, housecleaners, nannies, gardeners or home health care workers.
- Between Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 6:58 p.m. and Thursday, June 6, 2012 at 11:35 a.m., BPD officers were dispatched to 13 calls for service regarding individuals trespassing on private property. In the majority of cases, two officers responded, investigated, detained individuals and provided dispositions for each of these calls. The officers did records checks of the majority of these women and men for parole, probation, missing person, restraining orders, wants and warrants statuses. Several were active to probation or parole while two were arrested for outstanding warrants.
- Between Sunday, June 3, 2012, 2012 at 9:29 a.m. and Wednesday, June 5, 2012 at 9:28 p.m., BPD officers investigated and documented 20 auto burglaries throughout the city. In most cases, the drivers and/or passengers left valuables in the vehicle such as laptops, iPods, iPhones, luggage and purses. Based on a body of law enforcement experience, these crimes are accomplished very quickly and suspects return to the same areas, neighborhood, parking lots and businesses over and over.
* Following questions last week from readers regarding the Calls for Service information, specifically how comprehensive it was, BDP offered the following information:
City of Berkeley Police Department felt it important and necessary to clarify and/or explain what the Call For Service Listings covers. The CFS excel that we offer only covers Part 1 Crimes that fit into the following classifications. We redact the Domestic Violence and Child Physical/Sexual Abuse calls
Part One Crime Associated Statues
Homicide 187 PC
Rape 261 PC, 220 PC
Robbery 211 PC, 215 PC, 212.5 PC
Agg Assault 245 PC, 664/187 PC, 243D PC
Burglary 459 PC
Larceny 484 PC, 487 PC, 666 PC (459A NWS)
Auto Theft 10851 VC
Arson 451 PC, 452 PC
All other Calls for Police Service such as this partial list below are NOT reflected in the listing each week. The City of Berkeley Police department (BPD) fields and responds to an average of 375 calls for PD services in a 24 hour period. Many of these calls require 2 to 4 officers (or more depending on the officer safety issues)
- Audible Alarms
- Silent Alarms
- Manually Activated
- Car Stops
- Pedestrians Stops
- Animal Matters
- Advice Calls (whole hosts of types)
- Suspicious Person
- Suspicious Circumstance
- Domestic Disputes
- Domestic Violence
- Welfare Checks
- Runaways
- Incorrigibles
- Security Checks
- Missing Juvenile
- Missing Person
- Missing Person at Risk
- Mental health Issues
- Smoking Complaints
- BMC Violations
- Alcoholic Beverage Violations
- Drunk in Public
- Under the Influences of a Controlled Substance
- Suicide Attempts
- Completed Suicides
- Loud reports
- Shots Fired
- Gunshots
- Traffic hazards
- Suspicious Packages
- Out Aid Assists – Oakland, Albany, UCPD, Emeryville, CPS, APS – other agencies that call from a distance/out of state
- Search Warrants
- Probation Searches
- Parole Searches
- Gun Calls – man or woman with gun, gun seen etc
- Narcotics
- Drug Calls
- The Cops Calls
- Unknown Problems
- Fire (often first to arrive overnight as BFD in quarters – traffic control, assist with evacuations)
- Suspicious Fires
- Arson
- Medical Calls
- Overdoses
- Loud Parties
- Noise Complaints (these run the gamut)
- Dead Body Found/Coroners Case – These often take many hours (unattended death – natural cases, suspicious)
- Flag Downs (these are a variety of reasons – tkts sign offs, directions, advice)
- Hazardous Conditions – power lines, trenches, holes in streets etc
- Fall on City Property
- Non injury Traffic Collisions
- Injury Traffic Collisions
- Hit and Run – Misdemeanor and Felony
- Lodging
- Trespassing
- Blocking the Sidewalks
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