The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and were selected by the Berkeley Police Department, unless otherwise noted. See past crime narratives from the police, and Berkeleyside’s most recent compilation of calls for service.
From Feb. 10-16, there were 21 burglary reports, 19 auto break-in or theft reports, and nine stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Nine robberies and five assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported.
This week, police also released a “calls for service” report from Jan. 20 through Feb. 16. See the spreadsheet here.
Feb. 10, Sunday: At about 1 p.m., residents in the 2100 block of Los Angeles Avenue reported hearing several loud reports. Officers responded and discovered that the sounds were fireworks related to a Chinese New Year celebration.
Feb. 11, Monday: At about 7:45 p.m., a robbery occurred near Etna and Derby streets. The female victim was walking when she was approached by two unknown females. One demanded money and the other searched the victim for other property. Both robbers got into a newer red convertible, possibly a Ford Mustang, which was last seen going south on College Avenue. They were described as an 18-year-old black woman, 5 foot 3 inches tall, wearing a dark baseball hat and dark clothes, and a another black female, with no further description.
Feb. 12, Tuesday: A thief broke into a vehicle parked in the 1100 block of San Pablo Avenue via a window smash at about 2:15 p.m. The suspect prowled through the vehicle, but did not take anything.
Feb. 13, Wednesday: A caller reached out to police after hearing someone kick in the door of a home in the 2800 block of California Street at about 9 a.m. Police arrived and confirmed that the door had been kicked in; the resident came home and said nothing appeared to have been taken.
Feb. 14, Thursday: Three males reportedly robbed a store in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue at about 7:20 p.m. Police said the suspects entered the store and took several cell phones, then tried to leave without paying. A female employee confronted the suspects, who then threatened to harm her. The employee moved aside and the suspects fled. They were described as a black man around 20 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall with a skinny build, and wearing a dark baseball hat and navy blue hooded sweatshirt; a black male in his late teens, 5 foot 5 inches tall, with a skinny build wearing a navy blue windbreaker; and a black male in his late 20s wearing dark clothing.
Feb. 15, Friday: A thief stole a vehicle from the area of San Pablo and Ashby avenues between 5 and 5:30 p.m. The driver said she locked the car, a gray 1993 four-door Honda Civic, and left the area. When she returned, the Civic was gone.
Feb. 16, Saturday: A resident reported a home burglary at about 6 a.m. in the 1200 block of Hopkins Street. He told police he might have heard footsteps early in the morning, and later discovered that several items were missing from his home. Police said the burglar might have gotten inside through an unlocked door.
Feb. 17, Sunday: The University of California Police Department released a statement about a strong-arm robbery at Dwight Way and Prospect Street at about 9:40 p.m. Police said two females associated with the university were walking when they tried to pass three other females. One of the suspects sprayed what may have been pepper spray in the face of one of the victims, and both victims tried to run away. The suspects grabbed the second victim, “punched her in the face, and knocked her to the ground where she was also sprayed.” The suspects demanded the victims’ property, but a passer-by intervened and the suspects ran off. They were last seen getting into a white Dodge Charger, which fled west on Dwight. The victims suffered physical injuries but declined medical help. Police searched the area but were unable to find the suspects. They are described as a black female in her teens, 5 feet 4 inches tall, with short hair and a thick build; a black female in her teens with a long ponytail wearing a long skirt; and a black female in her teens, 5 feet 5 inches tall, with braided hair and wearing a pink shirt and jean jacket.
COMMUNITY SAFETY TIP FROM THE BERKELEY POLICE: Identity Theft Prevention
- Do not have your driver’s license number of social security number printed on your checks.
- Do not release personal information over the phone or Internet.
- Do not carry PIN or passwords with you.
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