Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with three North Berkeley robberies in a 10-minute span earlier this month, police announced Tuesday.
On Wednesday, April 3, police received three separate reports about a suspect armed with a handgun who approached pedestrians and demanded their cell phone or purse. The suspect then ran to a waiting car driven by a second person, and fled the area.
All three incidents involved similar suspect and vehicle descriptions, Officer Jennifer Coats, police spokeswoman, said Tuesday in a prepared statement. The incidents occurred in the 1000 block of Sierra Street, the 1600 block of California Street and the 1600 block of Posen Avenue. (Incident times were not available.)
Shortly after the reports came in, officers located a matching vehicle in the 1600 block of Ninth Street and arrested two 17-year-olds inside on suspicion of the robberies.
Police said they believe the young men may have been involved in other robberies in neighboring jurisdictions, and are communicating with other agencies about the arrests.
The juveniles, whose names are not being released because they are minors, were arrested on suspicion of three counts of robbery, brandishing a firearm, committing a felony while armed with a firearm, possession of stolen property, probation violation and conspiracy.
Police ask community members to act quickly to report both crimes in progress or those that have just occurred by dialing 911, or 510-981-5911, from a cell phone.
Said Coats: “An immediate report gives responding officers the best chance of locating fleeing suspects and recovering stolen property.”
Police also said community members should use basic crime prevention measures while walking at night, such as remaining alert and avoiding distractions like talking on cell phones or listening to MP3 players.
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