This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department and the UC Berkeley Police Department, unless otherwise noted. [Note to readers: We’re trying out a new format, and will be experimenting in the coming weeks to get you more information, so please provide feedback in the comments section below if you notice anything new or have ideas for more coverage.] See past Crime Blotters here.
See also Local Crime News’ regularly published list of arrests of Berkeley residents. Other sources of information on crime in Berkeley include the Police Department’s CrimeView Community and CrimeMapping.com.
The following items represent just a sampling of calls, many of which were selected by the Berkeley Police Department. From Dec. 16-23, there were 33 burglary reports, 58 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and nine stolen vehicle reports within the city limits, according to CrimeMapping.com. Nine robberies and seven assaults were reported.
Crime Briefs for the Week of Dec. 16
Dec. 16, Sunday
Loud Reports, Sacramento Street and Alcatraz Avenue: Berkeley police officers received reports of possible gunshots near Sacramento and Alcatraz at about 6:50 p.m. Several officers responded, but found nothing. There were no reported victims or property damage.
Robbery on Fairlawn: Police responded to a robbery on Fairlawn at about 2:30 p.m.; a woman in the 500 block said she came home to find two men casing her house. According to police, they attacked her when she tried to get their license plate number.
Robbery on San Pablo: According to CrimeMapping.com, police responded to a report of a robbery in the 2900 block of San Pablo Avenue at around 5:22 p.m.
Dec. 17, Monday
Auto Burglary, 1400 block of Ninth Street: Sometime between 8:30 p.m. and 10:22 p.m., a thief broke into a vehicle parked on Ninth. A woman who returned to her vehicle found one of its windows had been broken. The thief appeared to have prowled through the car, but took nothing.
Dec. 18, Tuesday
Auto Burglary, 1300 block of Carlotta Avenue: A man went outside in the morning, around 7:40 a.m., to find that his car door had been pried open, and paperwork had been stolen.
Dec. 19, Wednesday
Robbery, 2100 block of Ashby Avenue: A male victim was robbed by two teens at about 9:20 p.m. while walking down Ashby. The victim had been walking down the street when one of the teens called out to him. He kept walking, and one of the teens tried to grab his bag. They then struck him, knocking him to the ground, when he refused to give up the bag. Police said he suffered a non-life threatening injury. The robbers took the victim’s bag, which contained a laptop. Police described both robbers as black, 18 to 19 years old, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. One wore a black beanie cap, a red vest and jeans. The other was wearing all black-colored clothing.
Dec. 20, Thursday
Robbery near Grove Park: According to CrimeMapping.com, police responded to a report of a robbery at the intersection of Russell and Harper streets at 1:20 p.m.
Robbery on San Pablo Avenue: According to CrimeMapping.com, police responded to a report of a robbery in the 2000 block of San Pablo, near University Avenue, at 4:50 p.m.
Person Down, Cedar Street and Euclid Avenue: Police received a report of someone on the ground in the intersection of Cedar and Euclid at about 8:10 p.m. They were unable to find anyone.
Dec. 21, Friday
Robbery on San Pablo: According to CrimeMapping.com, police received a report of a robbery in the 1300 block of San Pablo Avenue, near Gilman Street, at about 3:20 p.m.
Loud Reports, Sacramento and Alcatraz: At about 9:30 p.m., police received reports of possible gunshots near Sacramento and Alcatraz. Several officers responded, but they did not find anything. There were no reported victims or property damage.
Dec. 22, Saturday
Robbery on Dwight Way: Just after midnight, police responded to a robbery of a 24-year-old woman in the 2300 block of Dwight. The woman had been walking when a thief approached her from behind, between two parked vehicles, and robbed her of her purse while threatening to have a gun. The thief fled east on Dwight in a white four-door sedan. The woman was not injured. Berkeley police officers searched for the suspect, and their investigation is continuing, according to a notice sent by the University of California Police Department. The robber was described as a black male, 20-30 years old with a medium build, dark complexion and short hair. He was wearing dark-colored clothing.
Robbery on Hearst and San Pablo avenues: According to CrimeMapping.com, police responded to a report of a robbery at Hearst and San Pablo at 8:50 p.m.
Suspicious Vehicle, San Luis Road and Arlington Avenue: After receiving a report of a suspicious vehicle, police found a car that matched the given description. Several young adults were in the vehicle. Berkeley Police determined that the young adults were waiting for a friend who lived nearby. They left once their friend arrived to meet them.
Dec. 23, Sunday
Disturbance in the Park: Police received a report of a loud group at Indian Rock Park. Officers arrived and spoke with a group of people. Police said the group left, and no further action was taken.
Robbery on San Pablo: According to CrimeMapping.com, police responded to a report of a robbery in the 2100 block of San Pablo, near Allston Way, at 7:17 p.m.
Dec. 24, Monday
Shots Fired on Sproul: University of California police responded to a report of shots fired on Lower Sproul Plaza at about 7:35 p.m. According to witnesses, a group of youth were arguing then someone fired three gunshots. The youth fled, but police were able to detain “a good number” of them. Police recovered one handgun, and no one was injured. Police continue to investigate, and say they will release additional information pending the completion of the investigation.
BERKELEY POLICE SAFETY TIPS FOR AUTO BURGLARY PREVENTION:
- Take out valuables
- Lock Up
- Close window/doors
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