This is a partial list of recent crime in Berkeley, compiled by Berkeleyside, and based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. See past crime blotters here.
The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From Dec. 5-11, there were 15 burglary reports, 25 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and nine stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Six robberies and six assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information. Scroll to the bottom of this post for several recent crime alerts from the University of California Police Department.
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Thursday, Dec. 5
Six thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 6:50 a.m. in the 2400 block of Ellsworth Street; at 8 a.m. in the 1900 block of Vine Street; at 4 p.m. at Bancroft Way and Dana Street; at 6 p.m. in the 1200 block of Peralta Avenue; at 6 p.m. in the 1700 block of University Avenue; and at 9:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Le Roy Avenue.
Two home burglaries were reported: at 7 a.m. in the 1400 block of Derby Street, and at 1:35 p.m. in the 3000 block of Deakin Street.
Police arrested Jesus Hernandez, 46, of Berkeley after a car chase near Ashby Avenue and Ninth Street. According to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats, police tried to stop a truck just after 9 p.m. that was driven by Hernandez, and also occupied by a woman and a 12-year-old boy. Coats said the driver had exhibited symptoms of alcohol impairment, so police tried to conduct a DUI investigation and asked Hernandez to exit the vehicle. Instead, said Coats, Hernandez “sped off at a high rate of speed, with a wanton and willful disregard for public safety.” The officers chased Hernandez west on Ashby. Police said Hernandez abandoned the truck and tried to flee on foot in the area of Seventh Street. Officers caught him near Seventh and Anthony Avenue. Coats said Hernandez “continued to physically resist the officers until they were able to gain control and detain the suspect.” He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), an outstanding warrant for DUI, resisting or obstructing a police officer and child endangerment. He was taken to the Berkeley City Jail for booking. Coats said that, during the booking process, Hernandez was also found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. He had been scheduled for arraignment Dec. 9 and no longer appears to be in custody.
Friday, Dec. 6
Eight thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 12:20 a.m. in the 3200 block of Adeline Street; at 6:35 a.m. in the 2700 block of Le Conte Avenue; at 5 p.m. in the 1000 block of Gilman Avenue; at 5:15 p.m. at Gilman and Fifth streets; at 5:50 p.m. in the 2900 block of San Pablo Avenue; at 6:45 p.m. in the 2900 block of Dwight Way; at 7 p.m. in the 1700 block of Alcatraz Avenue; and at 9:15 p.m. at Milvia Street and Durant Avenue.
A felony sexual assault was reported at 12:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of Fourth Street.
Two home burglaries were reported, at 2 a.m. in the 2300 block of Dwight Way, and at 5 p.m. in the 3000 block of Dwight.
Two commercial burglaries were reported, at 3:33 p.m. in the 700 block of Potter Street, and at 8:33 p.m. in the 2900 block of Shattuck Avenue.
A robbery was reported at 8 p.m. in the 1600 block of University.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Five vehicles were reported stolen: at 4:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Fourth; at 9:20 a.m. in the 1700 block of Fourth; at 4 p.m. at Ninth Street and Dwight Way; at 9 p.m. in the 3200 block of Sacramento Street; and at 11:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of Kains Avenue.
A commercial burglary was reported at 6:29 a.m. in the 2400 block of Ashby Avenue.
Four home burglaries were reported: at 8 a.m. in the 2800 block of Milvia Street; at 12:20 p.m. in the 1600 block of Harmon Street; at 1:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of San Juan Avenue; and at 3 p.m. in the 1100 block of Oxford Street.
Three auto burglaries were reported: at noon in the 1500 block of Addison Street; at 5 p.m. in the 2500 block of Regent Street; and at 9:15 p.m. in the 2400 block of Dwight Way.
Sunday, Dec. 8
A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 p.m. in the 2300 block of Haste Street.
A home burglary was reported at 9:40 p.m. in the 700 block of Grizzly Peak Boulevard.
Monday, Dec. 9
A commercial burglary was reported at 12:07 a.m. in the 1200 block of San Pablo Avenue.
A robbery was reported at 9:40 a.m. at Woolsey and Tremont streets.
An auto burglary was reported at 10:20 a.m. at Lincoln Street and Shattuck Avenue.
Two vehicles were reported stolen, at 11:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of Wallace Street, and at 10 p.m. in the 2800 block of Shasta Road.
A home burglary was reported at noon in the 2100 block of Roosevelt Avenue.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Three robberies were reported: at 1 p.m. in the 1100 block of Grizzly Peak Boulevard; at 6:11 p.m. at Dohr and Russell streets; and at 8:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Benvenue Avenue. According to the University of California Police Department, the incident on Benvenue involved a strong-arm robbery. A 21-year-old student was walking in the area when she noticed a vehicle parked and idling. She heard someone running up behind her, then turned and saw two suspects approaching her. They pushed her up against a building and demanded her property. The victim began to scream and the suspects started assaulting her. The suspects took the woman’s property, which included a cellphone and wallet. A witness phoned 911 as the suspects fled in the nearby vehicle, which was described as a beige 2000 jeep, possibly a Cherokee. Officers searched the area but were unable to find the assailants. The victim sustained minor injuries during the encounter. The robbers were described as a 14-year-old black male, 5 feet 4 inches tall with a thin build and shaved head, and wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt and black pants; and a black female, slightly older and taller than the male, with a ponytail, black leather jacket and black jeans.
Three thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 3:39 p.m. in the 700 block of Gilman Street; at 4:47 p.m. at Bolivar and Potter streets; and at 10 p.m. at College and Ashby avenues.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Four auto burglaries were reported: at 10 a.m. in the 2500 block of Regent Street; at 7:15 p.m. in the 1600 block of University; at 7:15 p.m. in the 1500 block of University; and at 9:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of Fourth.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 10 a.m. in the 2100 block of Sixth Street.
A home burglary was reported at 7:30 p.m. in the 2600 block of San Pablo Avenue.
A robbery was reported at 8:50 p.m. at Bay and Potter streets.
A gun or other weapon was reported at 11:07 p.m. in the 1600 block of Bancroft Way.
Other recent incidents
The University of California Police Department reported a robbery at C.R.E.A.M. ice cream shop, 2399 Telegraph Ave., on Dec. 12 just after midnight. A man entered the business at closing time, stole an iPad and fled. Two employees chased him, and police said he then punched one of the employees before getting into a waiting vehicle — described as a cream or white sedan with tinted windows — and fled. Police searched the area but were unable to find the vehicle or suspects. One of the victims suffered minor injuries during the encounter. The robber was described as a Hispanic man, approximately 22 years of age, who was 5 feet 11 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a 49ers jersey, blue jeans and a brown hat with ear flaps. Police ask anyone with information to call the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.
The University of California Police Department reported an armed robbery in the 2500 block of Bancroft on Dec. 12 just after 2 a.m. A 38-year-old man was sitting on the steps in front of Urban Outfitters when a man with a gun approached him and demanded his property. The robber struck the victim with the gun and took the victim’s laptop, then fled eastbound on foot. Police searched the area but could not find him. The victim sustained minor physical injuries during the encounter. The robber was described as a black man in his 40s with a medium to dark complexion, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall, and 180 to 200 pounds. He was wearing a black beanie and a dark blue jacket. Police ask anyone with information call the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.
On Sunday, Dec. 15, just before 3 a.m., UCPD responded to Moffitt Library for a report of an attempted robbery on Campanile Way between Dwinelle Hall and Valley Life Science Building. A 21-year-old student had been walking east on Campanile and, as she approached Dwinelle, she heard someone run up behind her. The suspect put his hands over the victim’s mouth and forced her to the ground, then tried to take her purse. She pulled his hands away from her mouth and started to scream, and the male fled, running west toward Oxford Street. The victim suffered minor injuries. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. He was described as a male of unknown ethnicity with shoulder-length dark curly hair, and wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.
Berkeleyside provides exclusive coverage of many of Berkeley’s most serious crimes. Read more here.
Related:
Judge says alleged Ashkenaz shooter must stand trial (12.13.13)
Teen arrested after robbery tied to medical cannabis buy (12.12.13)
Police join forces on Berkeley-Oakland robbery series (12.11.13)
Authorities link woman to $19,000 Berkeley make-up heist (12.11.13)
Pregnant woman robbed at gunpoint in South Berkeley (12.10.13)
2 felons with assault rifle charged in Berkeley burglary (12.10.13)
Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, 11/28-12/4 (12.09.13)
See the full list of Berkeley Police Department calls for service on CrimeMapping.com. See the list of calls to UC Police at Berkeley. 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. [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 post does not reflect every call.]
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