Update, May 4: BPD has identified this individual as 27-year-old Alphonzo McInnis. See the update. BPD said McInnis also was arrested in connection with the rape, at gunpoint, of a high school girl on Addison Street in April.
Update, May 3: UCPD released surveillance video footage from this incident. Berkeleyside has added it to the story. (Editor’s Note: Police later removed the video from YouTube, however, so it is no longer viewable.)
Original story, April 28: Campus police at UC Berkeley are looking for a man in his 20s who tried to rob a student at gunpoint early Saturday morning, authorities report.
The University of California Police Department released a photograph taken from surveillance footage during the robbery attempt at 4:30 a.m.
UCPD described the suspect as a man in his 20s with a light complexion and short dark hair, possibly in cornrows. The man appeared to be 5 foot 8 and 175 pounds, and wore a black hoodie with red writing on the front, acid-washed jeans and black shoes. He held a black handgun in his left hand, police said in a statement Saturday.
The robbery attempt happened at College Avenue and Channing Way, within the Berkeley Police Department’s jurisdiction. UCPD said the student struggled with the armed man, but “fought and managed to break free from … and escape into one of the student resident halls at Unit 1.”
UCPD released a surveillance photograph — a still from a longer video — that shows the robbery suspect in the doorway of the residence hall standing over the victim, who had fallen to the ground. Authorities said Saturday evening that they hope the image is distinctive enough that it might lead to the identification of the suspect in the case.
UCPD said it released Saturday’s statement in collaboration with BPD.
UCPD included safety tips in Saturday’s alert:
- Move away from the threat: Cross the street and increase your pace.
- Join a group of people or enter an open business establishment.
- Travel with a friend or in a group.
- Be alert and aware of surroundings.
- Keep electronic devices out of public view: They are a popular robbery target.
- Dial 911 or use a Blue Light emergency phone for help.
