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 June 26 to July 2, there were four burglary reports, 20 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and 11 stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.com. Six robberies, nine assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries and three sexual assaults were reported. Significant incidents from the University of California Police Department included one DUI offense, several incidents of vandalism and a weapons violation. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information.
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Thursday, June 26
A misdemeanor sexual assault was reported at 2 p.m. in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue.
Friday, June 27
Three robberies were reported: at 12:05 a.m. at Delaware and Curtis streets; at 12:30 a.m. at Franklin and Virginia streets; and at 5:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Shattuck.
A misdemeanor sexual assault was reported at 12:45 a.m. at Center and Milvia streets.
Three vehicles were reported stolen: at 4 p.m. in the 2300 block of Ellsworth Street; at 10:30 p.m. a Browning Street and Allston Way; and at 11 p.m. in the 1800 block of Tacoma Avenue.
Saturday, June 28
Two robberies were reported, at 12:55 a.m. at Etna Street and Dwight Way, and at 9:34 p.m. at Hearst and San Pablo avenues.
Three home burglaries were reported: at 10:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Ward Street; 6 p.m. in the 2800 block of Stanton Street; and at 11:08 p.m. in the 1600 block of 62nd Street.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 12:13 p.m. in the 2400 block of Ridge Road.
A gun or other weapon was reported at 1:03 p.m. at San Pablo Avenue and Bancroft Way, and at 3:06 p.m. at Sixth and Page streets.
The Berkeley Police Department arrested James Pryor, 36, after he led officers on a high-speed vehicle chase, authorities said. An officer tried to stop Pryor just after 9:30 p.m. at Sacramento and Russell streets on a vehicle code violation, said Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats. Pryor “fled at a high rate of speed, south on Sacramento Street,” said Coats, then “committed several dangerous vehicle code violations, nearly colliding with oncoming traffic. He showed a willful and wanton disregard for public safety.” Police did not pursue him, in the interest of public safety, but one officer recognized the suspect and was able to identify him, said Coats. On June 30, the officer saw Pryor near Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Ashby Avenue. He detained Pryor in connection with the previous incident on suspicion of felony evading and the possession of marijuana for sales.
A felony assault or battery was reported at 9:57 p.m. in the 2400 block of Bowditch Street.
The Berkeley Fire Department responded to a dumpster fire shortly before 11:30 p.m. in a parking garage at 1721 University Ave., in a building that also has apartments, according to Fire Chief Gil Dong. A sprinkler head activated and controlled the fire until firefighters could extinguish it. Dong said there was no damage to the structure or other property. No injuries were reported and the fire did not spread to the apartments above the garage.
Sunday, June 29
A vehicle was reported stolen at 6 p.m. in the 2500 block of Piedmont Avenue.
Monday, June 30
Three vehicles were reported stolen: at noon in the 2400 block of Webster Street; at 6 p.m. at San Pablo Avenue and Virginia Street; and at 7:15 p.m. in the 3100 block of Mabel Street.
The University of California Police Department responded to someone driving under the influence on Centennial Drive at 6:51 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1
A vehicle was reported stolen at 7 p.m. in the 3000 block of Dana Street.
Wednesday, July 2
The University of California Police Department responded to a weapons violation at 2:36 a.m. at People’s Park.
A 27-year-old male UC Berkeley student was standing in University Village, in Albany, when a man in his 40s walked up and asked him for a cigarette just before 2:50 a.m. The student declined. The man pulled a knife out of his waistband and, according to a statement from the University of California Police Department: “A struggle ensued and the victim was punched several times as he held on to the suspect’s arm holding the knife.” When the student let go, the man ran off, heading south on Jackson Street. Police searched the area but could not find him. The student was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police described the assailant as a white man in his 40s, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, with a thin build, several upper teeth missing and a “scraggly” beard. Police ask anyone with information to call UCPD at 510-642-6760.
A commercial burglary was reported at 3:39 a.m. in the 1800 block of Fourth Street.
Two vehicles were reported stolen, at 5:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of Garber Street, and at 4 p.m. in the 2500 block of Warring Street.
A gun or other weapon was reported at 11:26 a.m. at Gilman Street and Eastshore Highway.
A misdemeanor sexual assault was reported at 2:40 p.m. at Ashby Avenue and Ashby Place.
A robbery was reported at 10:48 p.m. in the 3300 block of King Street.
According to the University of California Police Department, a sexual battery occurred in Unit 3 Priestley Hall at 2400 Durant Ave. south of the UC Berkeley campus shortly before 11:30 p.m. A female student went to the restroom in her residence hall to brush her teeth. A male suspect came up behind her and “began rubbing his body against her inappropriately,” according to a statement from police. The student left the bathroom and reported the incident, which is under investigation. There is no suspect description at this time, police said.
See the full list of Berkeley Police Department calls for service on CrimeMapping.com. See the list of calls to UC Police at Berkeley, which are also posted on CrimeMapping. 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. 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:
Trial begins in stabbing death of Berkeley woman (07.02.14)
Alleged repeat violent offender arrested again in Berkeley (07.01.14)
Berkeleyside Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, June 19-25 (06.30.14)
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