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 recent Berkeley crime coverage here.
The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From Feb. 6-12, there were 15 burglary reports, 20 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and three stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Four robberies and seven assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information.
[Editor’s Note: We always appreciate photographs and tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at tips@berkeleyside.com or via Facebook or Twitter; please let us know when you write if you prefer to be anonymous.]
Thursday, Feb. 6
Three thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 2 a.m. at Fulton Street and Durant Avenue; at 5 a.m. at an unlisted location; and at 10 p.m. in the 3100 block of Acton Street.
A man was pronounced dead in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue, at Bancroft Way, in downtown Berkeley. Police were on scene conducting a death investigation after receiving a call about an unresponsive male at approximately 8:14 a.m. According to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats, there did not appear to be any signs of foul play. The Alameda County coroner’s office was unable to locate the case Tuesday morning, but Berkeleyside has requested additional information from the Berkeley Police Department. [Update: The Alameda County coroner’s office identified the man who died as 66-year-old David Simmons, a transient. Sgt. Patricia Wilson at the coroner’s office said Simmons’ cause of death is pending while authorities await toxicology results.]
Two robberies were reported, at 2:53 p.m. in the 2200 block of Durant, and at 11:10 p.m. at King and Fairview streets. According to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats, there was a report of a robbery, via knife, in the 2200 block of Durant Avenue. The victim, who was female, said the two people responsible for the incident fled the area. Officers responded and detained a man and woman in the 2300 block of Channing Way. Police identified them as William L. Crayton, 51, of San Francisco, and Ronnesha Mundine, 29, of Berkeley. Both were arrested on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy. They remain in custody at Santa Rita Jail. Crayton is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Feb. 20, and Mundine is scheduled to appear Feb. 19.
A home burglary was reported at 8 p.m. in the 2300 block of Woolsey Street.
Officers arrested a Berkeley teenager in connection with graffiti in San Pablo Park. Shortly after 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of vandalism at the park, in the 1800 block of Park Street, according to Officer Jennifer Coats, Berkeley Police spokeswoman. The caller reported a subject defacing a building by writing on the wall with a permanent marker. The caller provided a description and officers located a possible suspect. During the subsequent investigation, they arrested 18-year-old Dorion Rion on suspicion of vandalism. One community member said the vandalism had been ongoing, and involved the repeated defacement of the Francis Albrier Community Center with the word “Bacon.”
Friday, Feb. 7
Four thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 12:10 a.m. in the 100 block of Parkside Drive; at 8:35 a.m. in the 1000 block of Heinz Avenue; at 7 p.m. in the 1500 block of Juanita Way; and at 10:40 p.m. in the 1300 block of San Pablo Avenue.
A commercial burglary was reported at 2 p.m. in the 1900 block of University Avenue.
West Oakland police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at about 10 p.m. near Seventh Street and Mandela Parkway and observed a potentially related vehicle nearby, according to Lt. Chris Bolton of the Oakland Police Department. The vehicle’s driver refused to pull over, and a pursuit followed. The vehicle ultimately pulled over near Sixth Street and University Avenue in Berkeley, and three occupants were safely detained after “a high-risk vehicle stop.” The block was partially closed to traffic during the investigation. The driver was arrested on suspicion of fleeing, and two occupants were arrested for outstanding warrants or probation violation, or both. No weapon was recovered.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Two home burglaries were reported, at midnight in the 1800 block of Ward Street, and at noon in the 2200 block of Russell Street.
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 6 p.m. in the 700 block of University Avenue, and at 11 p.m. in the 1800 block of Fifth Street.
Two commercial burglaries were reported, at 10 p.m. in the 2900 block of Shattuck Avenue, and at 10:20 p.m. in the 2200 block of Shattuck.
Police received several calls of possible gunfire from the area of Spruce and Vine streets at approximately 11:30 p.m. According to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats, numerous officers responded to the area, arriving within minutes. Officers did not locate anything to prove that it had been gunfire, fireworks or a bad car muffler. No one reported being a victim of a shooting and no damage to homes or vehicles was found or reported.
Sunday, Feb. 9
Berkeley Police officers arrested a Santa Rosa man, wanted on suspicion of attempted murder, during a traffic stop at University Avenue and 10th Street. Read our full story.
Three home burglaries were reported: at 5:02 a.m. in the 2900 block of Ellsworth Street; at noon in the 1800 block of Chestnut Street; and at 5 p.m. in the 2700 block of Benvenue Avenue.
Three thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 3:35 p.m. in the 1700 block of Fifth Street; at 11 p.m. in the 1800 block of Sixth Street; and at 11:59 p.m. in the 100 block of Seawall Drive.
A gun or other weapon was reported at 6:44 p.m. in the 1400 block of Eastshore Highway.
Three commercial burglaries were reported: at 7 p.m. in the 2700 block of Shattuck Avenue; at 10 p.m. in the 2400 block of Shattuck Avenue; and at 10:20 p.m. in the 1900 block of Addison Street.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 9:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Shattuck.
Monday, Feb. 10
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 11:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of Gilman Street, and at 4 p.m. in the 2700 block of Sojourner Truth Court.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of Eastshore Highway.
Tuesday, Feb. 11
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 12:01 a.m. in the 1400 block of Scenic Avenue, and at 6 p.m. at Kelsey and Russell streets.
A boy was hit by a car sometime before 3:40 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in the 2100 block of Stuart Street near Shattuck Avenue, according to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats. The 12-year-old Berkeley boy was taken to a local hospital by ambulance for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle’s driver, a 59-year-old man from Pinole, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Coats said neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be factors. Berkeleyside has requested additional information from police. [Update, Feb. 25: Via BPD, “Essentially the young man ran into the roadway to cross the street to meet a group of friends, when he was struck by the vehicle, which was traveling west bound on Stuart approaching Shattuck Avenue. He ran from the south sidewalk north across the street.” That was found to be the primary collision factor.]
The University of California Police Department reported the arrest of a 40-year-old Cal student and employee, described as a former graduate student instructor, on suspicion of unlawful sexual penetration and possession of controlled substances in connection with an assault reported to have taken place in Albany’s University Village in January. On Jan. 25, a female student said she had met the man, identified as Timothy Rodriguez, at a bar near campus where they had some drinks. The victim became intoxicated and ill, police said in a statement. Authorities said Rodriguez took the victim to his home in University Village and sexually assaulted her. Rodriguez is listed online as a Cal graduate student in sociocultural anthropology. He is no longer in custody, according to the Alameda County sheriff’s department. According to the Daily Cal, Rodriguez was arraigned Feb. 13 on two drug possession counts. As of that time, the Alameda County district attorney’s office had not brought charges against him in connection with the alleged sexual assault. UCPD Lt. Marc DeCoulode told the Daily Cal that the district attorney’s office has three years to decide whether to pursue sexual assault charges. The drug charges are considered misdemeanor offenses.
A home burglary was reported at 3:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of Oregon Street.
A commercial burglary was reported at 7 p.m. in the 800 block of University Avenue.
A robbery was reported at 7 p.m. in the 2200 block of Dwight Way.
A gun or other weapon was reported at 7:18 p.m. at Seawall Drive and University Avenue.
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Four burglaries or thefts from vehicles were reported: at 8:38 a.m. in the 2900 block of Shattuck; at 6:45 p.m. in the 2700 block of College Avenue; at 6:45 p.m. in the 2400 block of Channing Way; and at 8 p.m. at Dwight Way and Hillside Avenue.
A felony sexual assault was reported at noon at Dwight Way and College Avenue.
A home burglary was reported at 7:33 p.m. in the 2300 block of 10th Street.
A robbery was reported at 10 p.m. in the 1600 block of Fairview Street.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 10:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Ward Street.
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.]
Related:
Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, 1/30-2/5 (02.10.14)
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