Selected calls to the Berkeley Police, via CrimeMapping.com. Scroll down for detailed maps. Click the map above for the list. See the map key here.
Selected calls to the Berkeley Police, via CrimeMapping.com. Scroll down for detailed maps. Click the map above for the list. See the map key here.

This overview of recent crime in Berkeley is based on reports to the Berkeley Police unless otherwise noted. Please share photos, videos and tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at crime@berkeleyside.com or on Facebook or Twitter; let us know if you prefer anonymity. Don’t assume someone else will alert us — you may be the only one to get in touch. We want to know about issues of concern and rely on readers to help us stay informed.

From Dec. 10-16, there were reports of seven robberies19 burglaries14 assaults or batteries, no weapon-involved calls and two sexual assaults, according to CrimeMapping.com. There were also 16 stolen vehiclesnine disturbances and 27 auto break-ins or thefts from vehicles reported. A stolen vehicle and one sex crime were reported by the University of California Police Department (UCPD). Click the links for the latest numbers. The following items represent a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate; incidents that took place during a range of time are listed unless otherwise noted by the beginning of that time period.

Thursday, Dec. 10

There were five home burglaries: at 2:30 a.m. in the 2600 block of Benvenue Avenue; at 11:25 a.m. in the 2400 block of Piedmont Avenue; at 3 p.m. in the 2200 block of Durant Avenue; at 9 p.m. in the 1900 block of El Dorado Avenue; and at 11:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of Milvia Street.

There were two disturbance calls, at 6:36 a.m. in the 300 block of Hillcrest Road, and at 11:13 a.m. in the 1600 block of Berkeley Way.

A vehicle was stolen at 4 p.m. in the 1200 block of Sixth Street.

A light-blue-and-black-colored Felt Breed single-speed cycle cross bike valued at $500 was stolen from the Ashby BART station between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., reported the BART Police. The bike had been secured with a U-lock, which was also missing when the theft was discovered.

There was a commercial burglary at 8:50 p.m. in the 2300 block of Telegraph Avenue. 

There were 19 burglaries (shown in black) reported over this period, via CrimeMapping.com. The prior week there were 19. There was also seven robberies (in blue), following five the prior week. Click the map for a list.
There were 19 burglaries (shown in black) reported over this period, via CrimeMapping.com. The prior week there were 19. There were also seven robberies (in blue), following five the prior week. Click the map for a list.
There were 19 burglaries (shown in black) reported over this period, via CrimeMapping.com. The prior week there were 19. There were also seven robberies (in blue), following five the prior week. Click the map for a list.

Friday, Dec. 11

There was a disturbance (noise) at 12:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of Milvia Street, and another disturbance (no further details) at 8:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of University Avenue.

There were three robberies: at 1:40 a.m. in the 2200 block of Piedmont Avenue; at 6:15 p.m. in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue; and at 9:16 p.m. at Piedmont and Channing Way.

Via UCPD: At approximately 1:40 a.m., UCPD responded to a report of an armed robbery in the 2200 block of Piedmont. A 21-year-old man reported having been robbed at knifepoint. The robber was described as a black man in his mid-30s wearing a black puffy jacket, a black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and white running shoes. He was last seen westbound on Bancroft Way. Police searched the area but could not find him.

Three vehicles were stolen: at 4 a.m. in the 2400 block of Webster Street; at 5:30 p.m. at Dwight Way and Dana Street; and at 8 p.m. in the 900 block of Allston Way.

There were two home burglaries, at 10 a.m. in the 2000 block of Fifth Street, and at 8:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Prospect Street.

There was a felony sexual assault at 4 p.m. in the 1500 block of Russell Street.

There was a commercial burglary at 5 p.m. in the 1200 block Fifth.

There was a felony assault or battery at 7:25 p.m. in the 3000 block of Tremont Street.

Saturday, Dec. 12

There were four home burglaries: at midnight in the 2300 block of Piedmont; at midnight in the 2300 block of College Avenue; at 2:30 a.m. in the 2300 block of College; and at 8:30 a.m. in the 2700 block of 10th Street.

There was a disturbance at 7:41 a.m. in the 700 block of Virginia Street.

There was a felony assault or battery at 9:38 a.m. in the 1100 block of San Pablo Avenue.

There was a robbery at 3:49 p.m. at Milvia Street and University Avenue.

Four vehicles were stolen: at 4:45 p.m. in the 2400 block of Fifth; at 5:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Sixth Street; at 9 p.m. in the 1400 block of Russell; and at 11 p.m. in the 1700 block of Virginia Street.

There was a commercial burglary at 8:45 p.m. in the 1000 block of Heinz Avenue.

Shown above: assaults or batteries, weapon calls, sexual assaults, arsons and disturbances. Click the image for a list. Source: Crimemapping.com
Shown above: assaults or batteries, weapon calls, sexual assaults, arsons and disturbances. Click the image for a list. Source: Crimemapping.com

Sunday, Dec. 13

There were two home burglaries, at 1 a.m. in the 2000 block of Kittredge Street, and at 4:45 p.m. in the 1400 block of Keoncrest Drive.

A UC Berkeley security officer stopped a 19-year-old male student in Moffitt Library’s main stacks at about 1:30 a.m. for indecent exposure. The university did not pursue prosecution.

There were three disturbance calls: at 2 a.m. in the 500 block of Oakvale Avenue; at 10 a.m. in the 2200 block of Sacramento Street; and at 10:40 a.m. in the 2700 block of McKinley Avenue.

There was a robbery at 2:12 a.m. in the 1500 block of Arch Street.

Monday, Dec. 14

There was a robbery at 8:48 a.m. in the 2200 block of Parker Street.

Four vehicles were stolen: at 12:15 p.m. at Jones Street and Eastshore Highway; at 2 p.m. at University and McGee avenues; at 5 p.m. at Channing Way and Bonar Street; and at 10 p.m. in the 1200 block of Addison Street.

There were 27 thefts or burglaries from vehicles, via CrimeMapping. There were 46 the prior week. There were also 16 vehicles stolen (in purple). Click the map for a list of incidents.
There were 27 thefts or burglaries from vehicles, via CrimeMapping. There were 46 the prior week. There were also 16 vehicles stolen (in purple). Click the map for a list of incidents.

Tuesday, Dec. 15

There was a home burglary at midnight in the 1600 block of Blake Street.

A vehicle was stolen at 8 a.m. in the 2300 block of College Avenue.

There was a misdemeanor sexual assault at 5 p.m. in the 1300 block of University Avenue.

There was a robbery at 6:17 p.m. in the 2100 block of Shattuck.

Wednesday, Dec. 16

There was a commercial burglary at 3:54 a.m. in the 2500 block of Ninth Street.

There was a home burglary at 7 a.m. in the 1600 block of Channing Way.

At about 9:35 a.m., UCPD responded to reports of mail theft at University Village in Albany involving at least seven victims.

Three vehicles were stolen: at 5 p.m. in the 800 block of Creston Road; at 5 p.m. in the 900 block of University; and at 9 p.m. in the 1000 block of Spruce Street.

BART officers detained a man on suspicion of a “blocking free movement” violation shortly after 5 p.m. at the Ashby station. According to police, a records check revealed that the man was on searchable probation. During a search, police found suspected methamphetamine in the man’s possession, along with burglary tools. He was arrested and taken to Santa Rita Jail.

There was a disturbance at 10:52 p.m. in the 2100 block of Dwight Way.

See the Berkeley Police Department’s crime reports on CrimeMapping.com. See the list of calls to UC Police at Berkeley, which are also posted in brief on CrimeMapping, and UCPD crime alerts. 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. The Berkeley Police Department also posts “calls for service” spreadsheets — containing more data — online for those who would like to see more. New reports may be added to CrimeMapping in an unpredictable manner, so numbers may increase in the days after this report. This post does not reflect every call. See recent Berkeley crime blotters here.

Related:
2015: The year in Berkeley crime, public safety (12.31.15)
The biggest Berkeley stories of 2015 (12.30.15)
Man killed in fire (12.28.15)
Berkeley police recover 3 loaded guns in car search (12.23.15)
Berkeley man sent to prison after 2014 shooting (12.21.15)
Police seek 2 ‘of middle school age’ with gun after robbery (12.21.15)
Alcohol, fall from height likely contributed to Berkeley fraternity death (12.21.15)
Young man found dead at Berkeley fraternity (12.19.15)
DNA on red belt loop helps police make robbery arrest (12.18.15)
Outpouring of concern for Berkeley ‘Toys for Tots’ brings in $8,400 in donations — so far (12.17.15)
Berkeley ‘Toys for Tots’ needs community help after donations fall through (12.16.15)
Berkeley police seek package thief caught on video (12.16.15)
Berkeleyside blotter: Crime in Berkeley, Dec. 3-9 (12.16.15)
DA files charges in Berkeley pool groping case (12.14.15)

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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...