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. 13-19, there were four burglary reports, 27 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and seven stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Six robberies and 15 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. 13
Someone reportedly brandished a weapon in the 2100 block of Cedar Street at 7:40 a.m.
A home burglary was reported at 8 a.m. in the 600 block of Vincente Avenue.
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 9 a.m. in the 2400 block of Channing Way, and at 8:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of Shattuck Avenue.
Two vehicles were reported stolen, at 12:39 p.m. at Shattuck Avenue and Francisco Street, and at 2 p.m. in the 900 block of Euclid Avenue.
A commercial burglary was reported at 11:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of College Avenue.
Friday, Feb. 14
Two robberies were reported, at 12:40 a.m. at Dana and Derby streets, and at 6 p.m. in the 2100 block of Durant Avenue. The University of California Police Department released a statement about the first incident, which they said took place at Dana and Carleton streets when a 25-year-old Cal student was approached from behind and robbed. Authorities said the woman was walking when a man walked up to her, displayed a firearm, demanded her property and grabbed her purse, which had been around her wrist. She suffered minor physical injuries on her wrist as a result of the incident, but did not require medical attention. The man ran away on foot and got into a dark grey four-door vehicle “that drove away.” Officers were unable to locate the robber, who was described as a black man in his late 20s or early 30s in a dark-colored cap, black hooded sweatshirt and black jeans. Police ask anyone with information to call the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.
Someone reportedly brandished a weapon at 9 a.m. in the 2700 block of Wallace Street.
Two thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported, at noon in the 1400 block of Hopkins Street, and at 10:35 p.m. in the 2700 block of Ninth Street.
A commercial burglary was reported at 1:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of Addison Street.
A felony assault or battery was reported at 7:40 p.m. at Telegraph Avenue and Oregon Street.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Two vehicles were reported stolen, at 12:01 a.m. in the 2600 block of Haste Street, and at 2:30 a.m. in the 2400 block of Sacramento Street.
Three auto burglaries were reported: at 2 a.m. in the 2400 block of Ellsworth Street; at 4:30 p.m. in the 200 block of University Avenue; and at 6 p.m. in the 2900 block of Derby Street.
Two robberies were reported, at 7:06 p.m. at Rose Street and Bonita Avenue, and at 7:06 p.m. in the 1800 block of University Avenue.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Six thefts or burglaries from vehicles were reported: at 12:01 a.m. in the 1200 block of Haskell Street; at 2 a.m. in the 1200 block of Haskell; at 5 p.m. at Ellsworth and Ward streets; at 7 p.m. at Fourth Street and Bancroft Way; at 7:30 p.m. at Hearst and Euclid avenues; and at 8 p.m. in the 800 block of Delaware Street.
An arson was reported at 3 a.m. in the 2400 block of Prospect Street.
Two vehicles were reported stolen, at 12:30 p.m. at Hearst Avenue and Oxford Street.
Monday, Feb. 17
A felony sexual assault was reported at 1 a.m. in the 2100 block of Sixth Street.
A home burglary was reported at 12:45 p.m. in the 2800 block of Mabel Street.
Two auto burglaries were reported, at 3:30 p.m. in the 2200 block of San Pablo Avenue, and at 11:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of Harmon Street.
A felony assault or battery was reported at 6:54 p.m. at Kittredge and Fulton streets. Berkeleyside readers reported an extensive police response. Officer Jennifer Coats, Berkeley Police spokeswoman, said officers responded to the area for an “assist request” from UCPD. UCPD officers had witnessed a disturbance, and the involved parties were “being uncooperative with police,” said Coats. A victim reported being physically assaulted by several females after an argument. She told police she had been visiting a friend in the area when the incident occurred. She did not require medical attention at the time of the incident. Officers were unable to locate the other people involved in the incident, Coats said.
A robbery was reported at 9 p.m. at Channing Way and Ellsworth Street.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Three auto burglaries were reported: at 8:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of University Avenue; at 4 p.m. in the 3200 block of Adeline Street; and at 8 p.m. in the 1800 block of Seventh Street.
At about 11 a.m., Berkeley Police officers were sent to do a welfare check in the 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way in North Berkeley, which turned into a death investigation. Said police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats via email: Officers made entry into the home and discovered a man in his 70s who was not responsive. The Berkeley Fire Department responded, and pronounced the man dead. There were no apparent indications of foul play.
A robbery was reported at 6:28 p.m. in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue.
An auto burglary was reported at 8 p.m. in the 1800 block of Seventh Street.
A felony assault or battery was reported at 10 p.m. in the 1500 block of Russell Street.
University of California Police officers arrested a Cal student after they said he assaulted another student, made homophobic remarks and robbed him of his cellphone, according to a statement released by authorities. Police said the two teenagers were walking together near the Campbell Hall construction site at 11:50 p.m. when Joseph Donner, 19, “made homophobic statements to the victim and demanded his [the victim’s] cellphone. When they reached Campbell Hall the suspect ordered the victim to go into the construction area. When the victim refused the suspect began beating him. The suspect repeatedly punched, kicked and choked the victim,” then ran off. Police located Donner and arrested him at 12:36 a.m. Wednesday. The Oakland Tribune reported that the two men were roommates, but mis-reported the time the incident and arrest took place. According to the Alameda County sheriff’s department, Donner is no longer in custody, and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault and a hate crime causing injury.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Nine auto burglaries were reported: at 4:06 a.m. in the 1900 block of Milvia Street; at 5 p.m. at Fulton and Dwight; at 5 p.m. in the 2400 block of Durant Avenue; two separate incidents at 6 p.m. in the 2400 block of Durant; at 6 p.m. in the 2700 block of College Avenue; at 6:05 p.m. in the 100 block of Seawall Drive; at 6:50 p.m. in the 2400 block of Durant; and at 7 p.m. in the 1000 block of Jones Street.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 4 p.m. in the 1900 block of Dwight.
Police responded to a report of an unresponsive man inside a vehicle at Heinz Avenue and Ninth Street at 11:55 p.m. Officers who responded found a man who appeared dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police are conducting a death investigation, but it doesn’t appear there are any indications of foul play, said Officer Jennifer Coats, Berkeley Police spokeswoman, via email. The Alameda County coroner’s office identified the man as Samuel Van Cleave, 34, of Berkeley.
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:
Berkeley streets flooded after water main breaks (02.21.14)
3 arrested with gun, drugs at Berkeley Marina (02.21.14)
Berkeley High suicide victim’s family mourns (02.21.14)
3 years on, city of Berkeley still stuck on social media (20.19.14)
Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, Feb. 6-12 (02.18.14)
Berkeleyside publishes many articles every day. To see all our stories in chronological order, and read ones you may have missed, check out our All the News grid.
