This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley, compiled by Berkeleyside, and based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. See past crime blotters here. (Note to readers: We always appreciate photographs and tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at tips@berkeleyside.com.)
The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From May 23-29, there were 17 burglary reports, 25 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and 11 stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Eight robberies and 12 assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information.
We have also included the Berkeley Police Department’s most recently released crime narratives, which cover May 19-25 and were released Friday.
May 19, Sunday
A burglar entered a home, possibly through an unlocked window, in the 1600 block of Arch Street just before 11 p.m. The thief stole a computer and several other items.
May 20, Monday
A vandal spray-painted a retaining wall in the 1200 block of Oxford Street sometime between noon and 2 p.m.
May 21, Tuesday
A thief stole a blue 1995 Honda Odyssey from the intersection of Roosevelt and Addison streets. The owner’s son had parked it there the night before; when the owner came outside in the morning, the vehicle was gone.
May 22, Wednesday
Someone working in a business in the 1400 block of Shattuck Avenue discovered two young men in his office when he returned from a short break just after 5:10 p.m. One of the men was standing outside his office door, and the other one was inside. When he saw them, they said they were looking for someone else, then left. The victim’s desk had been rummaged through and some of his property was on the floor. The men were both described as black and 18-20 years old. One appeared to be 6 to 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a thin frame and short hair; he was wearing a black shirt and black jeans. The other was 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 9 inches tall with a stocky build and short hair.
May 23, Thursday
A robbery was reported at 1 a.m. at College and Alcatraz avenues. According to the Berkeley Police Department, the victim was walking when he was approached from behind by three men. One was armed with a gun and demanded the victim’s property. They stole his cell phone and wallet then left. All three were described as black. One was in his 20s, 5 feet 10, and 150 pounds; he was wearing dark clothing. Another was in his 20s, 6 feet 1, and 160 pounds, and also wearing dark clothing. No further description was available for the third robber.
Four home burglaries were reported: at 7:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of Stuart Street; at 10 a.m. in the 300 block of Avenida Drive; at 11 a.m. in the 3200 block of Sacramento Street; and at 11:35 a.m. in the 2000 block of Essex Street.
A commercial burglary was reported at 9:22 a.m. in the 1100 block of Second Street.
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 11:15 a.m. in the 1800 block of Fifth Street, and at 8:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Lincoln Street.
Three vehicles were reported stolen: at 6 p.m. in the 2600 block of Dwight Way; at 8 p.m. in the 2900 block of Benvenue Avenue; and at 11 p.m. in the 100 block of Panoramic Way.
May 24, Friday
Three auto burglaries were reported: at 5:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of Sacramento Street; at 6:30 p.m. in the 1300 block of San Pablo Avenue; and at 7 p.m. in the 800 block of Heinz Avenue.
Two home burglaries were reported, at 8:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of 66th Street, and at noon in the 1800 block of San Antonio Avenue.
A commercial burglary took place between 4 and 5 p.m. in the 900 block of Heinz. Employees said a thief stole several items, including computers.
May 25, Saturday
Four auto burglaries were reported: at 2:45 a.m. at Addison and Eighth streets; at 2:45 p.m. at Fifth and Gilman streets; at 3:25 p.m. in the 1600 block of San Pablo; and at 3:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of University Avenue. Also, via the Berkeley Police Department, at 7 p.m. a woman reported that her vehicle, which had been parked in the 1600 block of 63rd Street, had been prowled through by an intruder. Nothing appeared to have been taken.
Three vehicles were reported stolen: at 10:30 a.m. at Claremont and Avalon avenues; at 8 p.m. in the 1800 block of Tacoma Avenue; and at 10 p.m. in the 2900 block of Newbury Street.
A felony sexual assault was reported at 11 p.m. in the 2400 block of Ashby Avenue.
May 26, Sunday
Two robberies were reported, at 3 a.m. at Telegraph Avenue and Derby Street, and at 2:15 p.m. at University and Chestnut avenues.
A felony sexual assault was reported at 9:15 a.m. in the 2300 block of Derby Street.
An auto burglary was reported at 5 p.m. in the 2000 block of Second Street.
Someone reportedly brandished a weapon at 8 p.m. in the 2700 block of Mathews Street.
May 27, Monday
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 12:13 a.m. in the 2700 block of Durant Avenue, and at 8 p.m. in the 1700 block of Stuart.
A robbery was reported at 1:58 a.m. at Dana and Parker streets.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 4:53 a.m. in the 2700 block of Parker.
A home burglary was reported at 5:50 p.m. in the 1600 block of Oregon Street.
A felony assault or battery was reported at 5:50 p.m. in the 1900 block of Chestnut Street.
A misdemeanor sexual assault was reported at 8:40 p.m. at West Frontage Road and University Avenue.
May 28, Tuesday
Four home burglaries were reported: at midnight in the 1500 block of Shattuck Avenue; at 12:15 p.m. in the 300 block of Hill Road; at 1:02 p.m. in the 3000 block of Buena Vista Way; and at 4 p.m. at an unlisted location.
Four auto burglaries were reported: at 1 a.m. in the 2600 block of Marin Avenue; at 6 p.m. at Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Hilldale Avenue; at 8:30 p.m. in the 2900 block of Russell Street; and at 11 p.m. in the 1400 block of Carleton Street.
Police arrested a man they say tried to steal a woman’s wallet as he rode by her on a bicycle, at University and San Pablo avenues, at about 1:45 a.m. According to police, the woman was able to keep her wallet and get away. Police arrived and detained Ricky Jacobs, 50, of Berkeley. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 7:50 p.m. in the 1300 block of Second Street.
May 29, Wednesday
Three vehicles were reported stolen: at 12:01 a.m. in the 1100 block of Hillview Road; at 5 p.m. in the 2100 block of Essex Street; and at 5:30 p.m. at Walnut and Eunice streets.
Six burglaries or thefts from vehicles were reported: at 1:22 a.m. in the 1400 block of Fifth Street; at 9:50 a.m. in the 900 block of Parker; at 2:23 p.m. in the 1700 block of Fourth Street; at 6 p.m. in the 1700 block of Berkeley Way; at 7 p.m. in the 1800 block of Tacoma Avenue; and at 8:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Tamalpais Road.
Two commercial burglaries were reported, at 5:45 a.m. in the 800 block of Bolivar Drive, and at 5 p.m. in the 2400 block of Shattuck.
Three robberies were reported: at 3 p.m. at Seventh and Addison streets; at 3:32 p.m. in the 2000 block of Addison; and at 7:28 p.m. in the 2900 block of College Avenue.
Three arrests after rash of thefts at Cal sports center
Last week, UCPD reported the arrest of three men they said have been involved with thefts at UC Berkeley’s Recreational Sports Facility this year. There have been more than 50 thefts reported since Jan. 1. On Feb. 1, UCPD responded to the facility for a report of a disturbance after several thefts; police arrested Jamal Dunnorm, 21, after he tried to flee the scene, according to police. On May 1, police noticed someone taking items from the facility’s field house; police arrested Jabori Holmes, 20, on suspicion of theft. On May 11, UCPD received a report about a man playing basketball at the facility who matched a description police had released in connection with several other thefts. Police responded and spoke with the man; authorities said he fled after giving them his ID card. Police later served a search warrant at the home of the man, who was identified as 18-year-old Michael Melson. Police said they recovered stolen property at Melson’s home. He was taken into custody and, according to police, admitted to multiple thefts at the facility over the past 16 months. Police ask anyone with additional information to call UCPD’s Criminal Investigations Bureau at 510-642-6760.
See the full list of Berkeley Police Department calls for service here on CrimeMapping.com. This may have been updated since publication. See the list of calls to the UC Police Department. 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 Berkeley Police Department includes this disclaimer: “Please note that these are Calls For Police Services (CFS) only and are subject to review and reclassification. Learn more about calls for service near specific locations with CrimeView Community and crimemapping.com.”
Editor’s Note: New calls for service are at times added to the CrimeMapping.com system in an unpredictable manner, and numbers for most types of calls are likely to increase in the days following this report. This weekly post offers a relatively detailed account of calls for service over the course of a week but does not reflect every call.
COMMUNITY SAFETY TIP: Cell Phone Robbery Prevention
- Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
- Do not lend your phone to anyone you do not know, or take it out of your purse, pocket or bag to give someone the time, if asked.
- Whenever feasible, walk, jog or travel with a friend or friends.
- Don’t talk on cell phones or listen to iPods when alone, as they significantly limit awareness.
- Be aware of locations that make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys, doorways, parking lots and stairwells.
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