Full Notification

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/City_Manager/Press_Releases/2019/2019-02-20_Cases_of_Community_Interest.aspx
 
Every month, there are over 300 crimes (UCR Part 1 crimes) occurring in the City of Berkeley.  Below are some of those cases that have occurred over the past few days that involve weapons, violence or incidents that people have asked us about.
 
Information about those arrested (juveniles excluded) can be found through the City’s Open Data Portal using the associated case number:
https://data.cityofberkeley.info/Public-Safety/Berkeley-PD-Log-Jail-Bookings/7ykt-c32j
 
 
Auto Burglars Captured
On February 13^th at 5:09 pm, officers responded to the parking area of Hana Japan (235 University Avenue) on a report of an auto burglary.  According to video surveillance recordings from the business, the owner of the vehicle saw that someone had broken into her vehicle around 3:40 pm.  The suspect then left in a gray sedan.  At about 6:37 pm, one of the employees saw the same gray sedan driving in the parking lot and called the police.  Officers quickly responded to the area and located the vehicle driving eastbound on University Avenue—detaining its two occupants.  As a result of the investigation, officers arrested the driver (a 21 year old Berkeley man) and passenger (an 18 year old Berkeley man) on suspicion of auto burglary and possession of burglary tools.
 
The 18 year old was also arrested for a separate series of seven residential burglaries that occurred in 2018.
Case 2019-00007992
 
 
Several Assault Weapons found in Search Warrant
Following-up on information about a suspect involved in a gun transaction, Homicide detectives performed a search warrant on the 4300 block of Essex Street in Emeryville, CA on February 14^th.  Inside, detectives located five guns—including two assault weapons, handguns, a 100-round drum loaded with armor-piercing rounds as well as hundreds of rounds of other ammunition.  The suspect (a 39 year old Oakland man) was arrested and charged with several weapon related violations.
Case 2019-00005399
 
 
Man arrested after erratic behavior in Aquatic Park
On February 15^th at 11:19 am, two woman were jogging in Aquatic Park (separately) when they saw a man acting erratically on the pathway.  When one of the joggers passed by the man, the man approached her and yelled curse words at her.  Seeing what happened, the 2^nd jogger took her phone out and took a picture of the man causing the disturbance.  The man became upset and chased after the 2^nd jogger.  When the man caught up with the 2^nd jogger, the man tried to grab her cell phone.  With the assistance of others in the area, the 2^nd jogger was able to keep the man from taking her phone.  When officers arrived, they arrested the suspect (age 25/address unknown) on suspicion of attempted robbery and violation of probation.
Case 2019-00008339
 
 
Grand Theft Arrest
On the evening of February 15^th, a family on the 1400 block of Parker Street learned that their teen was having a party without their permission.  After ending the party, the family discovered that four of their laptops were stolen from the house during the party.
 
On February 16^th at 9:34 am, an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on University Avenue (near Seabreeze Market).  When the officer searched the vehicle (and its four occupants), the officer located a backpack with four laptops inside.  When officers investigated the laptops, they discovered that they had been stolen the night before.  After one of the occupants (an 18 year old Berkeley man) confessed to the theft, he was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and possession of stolen property.
Case 2019-00008491 (see also Case 2019-00008520)
 
 
Car Stop leads to the capture of shoplifters
On February 16^th at 8 pm, an officer responded to a complaint of a vehicle double parked on the 2300 block of Shattuck Avenue (blocking vehicles from leaving).  When officers arrived, they saw the vehicle begin to move forward.  When officers contacted the driver (a 17 year old San Francisco female), they discovered that she was unlicensed and had an outstanding arrest warrant.
 
When officers searched the vehicle, they located 19 pairs of men’s track pants with the security sensors, hangers and price tags still attached.  Officers investigated the person the unlicensed minor was with (an 18 year old Fairfield female) along with the suspected stolen clothing.  Officers determined that the items were stolen from two sporting goods stores in the Bay Area.
 
The 18 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, petty theft and committing a felony while out on bail.  The 17 year old was arrested for her outstanding arrest warrant.
Case 2019-00008616
 
 
Carjacking
On February 17^th at 7 pm, a man (age 29) stopped his vehicle on the 2700 block of Hearst Avenue (near La Loma) with the window down and the engine running while he delivered food to nearby residence.  When the man returned to his vehicle, he discovered a suspect sitting in the driver’s seat.  When the man tried to get the suspect out of his vehicle, the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the man.  The man backed off and the suspect drove away.  Witnesses described the suspect as a mixed race male, in his early 30’s, about 6’ tall, with a heavy build, short hair, wearing a red and gray jacket.
 
Stolen Vehicle: Blue 2012 Mazda 3 4-door (6UCG549/CA)
Case 2019-00008786
 
 
Robbery
On February 17^th at 8:25 pm, a man (age 25) was unloading his vehicle on the 1900 block of Center Street when two suspects (a man and woman) approached from behind him.  The male suspect pushed the man up against his car and the female suspect began emptying the man’s pockets.  After taking the man’s belongings, the suspects knocked the man to the ground and began to rummage through the vehicle for more items to steal.  The suspects fled after others in the area saw what was happening and yelled that they were calling police.  Witnesses described one of the suspects as a White male, in his late teens or early 20’s, 6’ to 6’4” tall, wearing a gray hooded top and black pants.  Witnesses described the other suspect as a Black female, in her late teens to early 20’s, wearing a gray hooded top.
Case 2019-00008802
 
 
Robbery
On February 17^th at 9 pm, a man (age 33) was walking on Milvia Street (near Parker Street) when a group of 4-5 suspects attacked him from behind.  The suspects punched the man in the back—knocking him to the ground.  Once on the ground, the suspects continued to punch and kick the man while one of the suspects took his wallet and cell phone from his pockets.  Witnesses described the suspects as mostly male (with one female) wearing hooded tops (unknown age or race).
Case 2019-00008806
 
 
Attempted Robbery
On February 17^th at 9:10 pm, a woman (age 52) was walking on the 2800 block of Adeline Street when a group of 4 suspects approached her.  One of the suspects grabbed the woman and threw her to the ground.  The woman fought off the suspect and they were not able to take her backpack.  The suspects then fled and were last seen running westbound on Oregon Street.  Witnesses described the suspects as:

• Suspect #1: White male, late teens to 20’s, about 5’10” or taller, with a small build, wearing a light colored jacket with a fur hood.
• Suspect #2: Black male, late teens to early 20’s, about 5’8” tall, with an average build, wearing a light colored hooded top and sweats.
• Suspect #3: Black male, late teens to early 20’s, less than 5’8” tall, with a small build.
• Suspect #4: unknown description

Case 2019-00008809
 
 
Suspect found with a knife in the La Loma Park Neighborhood
On February 17^th at 12:25 pm, officers were flagged-down in the La Loma Park neighborhood about a suspect a resident saw jumping over the fence into the yard of a private residence.  After the resident pointed out the house on Quail Road, officers searched the yard and located the suspect.  When officers searched the suspect, they found a fixed blade dagger with a metal knuckle attachment as the handle.  The suspect [a 38 year old man (residence unknown)] was arrested on suspicion of prowling, possession of a concealed dirk/dagger and possession of metal knuckles.
Case 2019-00008725
 
 
Robbery
On February 18^th at 4:40 pm, a woman (age 33) was walking on California Street (near Channing Way) when she was approached by 4-5 male suspects.  The suspects pushed the woman down and tried to get her cell phone out of her hand.  After a brief struggle, the suspects took off her backpack and ran to a nearby vehicle.  Witnesses described the suspects as Black, wearing sweatpants, last seen driving away in a newer model 4 door vehicle.
Case 2019-00008927
 
 
Robbery
On February 19^th at 7:12 pm, a man (age 21) was walking on Shattuck Square (between University Avenue and Berkeley Square) when he was surrounded by a group of five suspects.  One of the suspects challenged the man to a fight and took off his sweater like he was about to attack.  The group started punching the man’s face and he fell to the ground—where the group took his cell phone.  The group then ran toward the UC Berkeley campus.  Shortly thereafter, UC Police detained three juveniles (a 15 year old Berkeley male, a 15 year old Georgia male, and a 17 year old Berkeley male) in the northwest quadrant of the campus.  After witness identifications, the three juveniles were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy, and resisting arrest.
Case 2019-00009156
 
 
Here are some Traffic Collisions that people have asked about:
 
Solo Vehicle Collision
On February 13^th at 11 pm, officers responded to 2228 San Pablo Avenue for a traffic collision involving a vehicle that ran into the side of a building.  When officers contacted the driver [a 42 year old man (address unknown)], officers believed that he was intoxicated and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and possession of controlled substances.  As a result of the collision, Fire personnel had to evacuate the upstairs tenants of the building and PG&E had to shut off gas to the building.
Case 2019-00008047
 
 
Solo Vehicle Collision
On February 16^th at 9:45 pm, officers responded to the intersection of Benvenue Avenue and Russell Street for a traffic collision involving an overturned vehicle.  The driver was travelling northbound on Benvenue Avenue and collided with a retaining wall of a private residence—causing her vehicle to overturn and collide with two other parked vehicles.  As a result of the collision, the driver (a 55 year old Berkeley woman) was injured and transported to a local hospital.  Though the investigation is on-going, investigators believe that speed and driving while impaired may have been factors in this collision.
Case 2019-00008640
 
 
Auto/Pedestrian Collision
On February 17^th at 7:39 pm, officers responded to the intersection of Rose and Henry Street for traffic collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian.  The pedestrian (a 68 year old man) was crossing Rose Street in the crosswalk when he was struck by a vehicle making a left turn from Henry Street to westbound on Rose Street.  As a result of the collision, the pedestrian fell to the ground and was seriously injured.  Because of the severity of the pedestrian’s injuries, the Department’s Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene to investigate the collision.  The driver (a 24 year old man) remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.  The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Case 2019-00008790
 
 
Auto/Pedestrian Collision
On February 18^th at 2:15 am, officers responded to the intersection of Parker Street and Dana Street for a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a person on a skateboard.  The person on the skateboard was riding west on Parker Street when he was struck by a vehicle making a northbound turn onto Dana Street (from westbound Parker Street).  The pedestrian (a 19 year old Berkeley man) was transported to a local hospital with injuries to his head, arms and legs.  The driver (a 23 year old Richmond man) was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence—causing injury.
Case 2019-00008842
 
 
UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS CASES:
 
Grand Theft Arrest
On November 1^st at 3:15 pm, a victim reported that his music equipment was stolen from his vehicle while he was loading it on the 900 block of Parker Street.  A few days later, the victim discovered his stolen music equipment at a local music store and notified our detectives.  After further investigation, detectives identified a 28 year old Berkeley man as responsible for the theft and obtained a warrant for his arrest.  On February 12^th, the suspect was located and arrested on suspicion of grand theft and possession of stolen property.
Case 2018-00091915
 
Robbery Suspects Arrested

• On January 11th at 6:55 pm, a woman was walking on Dwight Way using her cell phone. When she reached the corner of Dwight and MLK Jr. Way, a man standing near her grabbed her cell phone from her hand and ran away.  Witnesses described the suspect as Black, in his mid-20’s, about 6’1” tall, wearing dark clothing.  Case 2019-00001844
•  
• On January 17th at 1:25 pm, a woman was sitting inside (near the front door) Sack’s Coffee House (2701 College Avenue) working on her laptop when a male suspect walked inside, grabbed her laptop and ran away. The suspect ran away—westbound on Derby Street.  Witnesses described the suspect as Black, in his mid-20’s, about 5’10” tall and wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and gray pants. Case 2019-00002768
•  
• On January 22nd at 5:37 pm, two male suspects entered Sack’s Coffee House (2701 College Avenue) and grabbed laptops from two people sitting near the front door.  The suspects ran away—westbound on Derby Street.  Witnesses described the suspects as Black, 18-20 years old and about 5’10” tall. Case 2019-00003756

 
With the information witnesses provided, Detectives were able to identify two juvenile suspects involved in the above three cases.  On January 24^th, officers arrested one of the suspects (a 17 year old Oakland juvenile male) on suspicion of robbery, grand theft, and possession of stolen property.  On February 16^th, officers arrested the other suspect (a 17 year old Oakland juvenile male) on suspicion of robbery, grand theft and possession of stolen property.
Case 2019-00003756