Police are asking for help to find a man responsible for a robbery in December. Image: BPD
Police are asking for help to find a man responsible for a robbery in December. Image: BPD

The Berkeley Police Department is asking the community for help to find a man who robbed an elderly shopper of his brand new iPhone on Fourth Street the day after Christmas.

According to a statement released by police Thursday, an 83-year-old man was walking with a family member on Fourth near Hearst Avenue shortly after 1 p.m. Dec. 26 when the strong-arm robbery took place.

“They had just left the Apple store after purchasing a new iPhone,” police said in the statement. “The suspect followed the victim, and then forcibly took the iPhone … injuring him in the process.”

Police released a video of the robbery, and shared it with the media Thursday. It appears below.

YouTube video

Police believe this man was responsible for a robbery outside the Fourth Street Apple store in December. Image: BPD
Police believe this man was responsible for a robbery outside the Fourth Street Apple store in December. Image: BPD

Police said the robber appeared to be a black man in his 30s with short hair and an average build. He was wearing a red zip-up Gap hooded sweatshirt and light blue jeans.

Police believe this man was responsible for a robbery outside the Fourth Street Apple store in December. Image: BPD
Image: BPD

The suspect fled the area in a silver Audi with paper plates.

Police ask anyone who may recognize the man, or has information regarding the incident, to call the Robbery Detail at 510-981-5742, or the Berkeley Police non-emergency line at 510-981-5900.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Read more about robberies in Berkeley in past Berkeleyside coverage.

Related:
After ordering pizza with stolen card, teen charged with 4 armed robberies in Berkeley (01.26.15)
More details emerge on UCPD carjacking, robbery arrests (12.22.14)
Authorities: Berkeley Apple store thief strikes again (06.10.14)
Car used for smash-and-grab at Apple store in Berkeley (05.09.14)
Teen tries to buy 14 iPhones, 2 laptops with fake credit card at Apple store (03.18.14)

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Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist of the Year...