Cases of Community Interest 
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 by visiting the City’s Open Data Portal using the associated case number:
https://data.cityofberkeley.info/Public-Safety/Berkeley-PD-Log-Jail-Bookings/7ykt-c32j
Man arrested after threatening to burn down building
On April 19th at 7:30 pm, officers responded to an apartment on the 2000 block of University Avenue for a domestic dispute. When officers arrived, the suspect threatened to kill himself and burn down the building. When officers saw the suspect lighting his shirt on fire, officers kicked-in the apartment door and had to physically restrain the suspect. In the process of restraining him, the suspect bit one of the officer’s on his forearm. The suspect (a 39 year old Berkeley man) was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence battery, battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, arson and violation of parole.
Case #2019-00020988
Man arrested after exposing himself to two women and a child
On April 19th at 7:43 pm, officers responded to the 2900 block of Seventh Street on a report that a man had exposed his genitals to two women along with an 8 year old in front of a children’s play center. An officer later found the suspect in the area of Potter Street and Seventh Street (now carrying a metal pole). When the officer tried to detain the suspect, the suspect swung the metal pole at the officer (narrowly missing the officer’s head). As other officers arrived, the suspect ran away but was eventually captured a few blocks away. The suspect (a 25 year old Oakland man) was arrested on suspicion of annoying/molesting a minor, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, indecent exposure and resisting arrest.
Case #2019-00020991
Report of Gunfire
On April 21st at about 10 pm, officers responded to the area of Eighth Street and Channing Way after receiving multiple calls about gunfire in the area. After searching the area, officers located several bullet casings left on the ground.
Case #2019-00021389
Recent Robberies
On April 15th at 10:30 pm, two suspects robbed a 19 year old woman of her cell phone while she was walking on the 2300 block of Channing Way. Witnesses described the suspects as Black, 19-20 years old, wearing dark clothing.
Case #2019-00020219
On April 16th at 8 pm, three suspects robbed a 26 year old man of his backpack (containing his laptop) while he was walking on the 2700 block of Benvenue Avenue. Witnesses described the suspects fleeing in a white sedan and described one of the suspects as a Black male, in his early 20’s, about 5’8” to 5’9” tall, with a small to medium build.
Case #2019-00020385
On April 16th at 8:38 pm, a suspect robbed a 75 year old man of his flashlight on the 2600 block of Dwight Way after he asked the suspect who was sleeping in front of his property to leave. After searching the area, officers found the suspect a few blocks away. Officers arrested the suspect (a 26 year old man/address unknown) on suspicion of robbery and battery.
Case #2019-00020387
On April 16th at 10:18 pm, two suspects robbed a 21 year old woman of her laptop and bag while she was walking on Carleton Street (towards Dana Street). Witnesses described one of the suspects as a White female, 20-30 years old, with a medium to heavy build, wearing jeans and a jacket. Witnesses described the other suspect as a White female, 25-33 years old, with brown or golden hair, medium to heavy build, wearing a dark jacket and jeans—both last seen driving away in a dark gray sedan.
Case #2019-00020407
On April 16th at 10:30 pm, four suspects robbed a 26 year old woman of her cell phone while she was walking on the 2500 block of Le Conte Avenue. Witnesses described the suspects as Black men in their 20’s wearing dark hooded tops. As a result of being kicked during the robbery, the victim had bruising around his eye. Officers later recovered the stolen cell phone abandoned in the City of Oakland.
Case #2019-00020411
On April 17th at 12:20 pm, a suspect robbed a 33 year old woman (carrying her 1 year old baby) of her wallet while she walking on 67th Street (near Mabel Street). Witnesses described the suspect as a Black female, in her early 20’s, 5’0” to 5’2”tall, with a slim to medium build, with short curly hair tied in a ponytail, wearing an olive green tank top and black pants—last seen leaving in a newer white sedan.
Case #2019-00020493
On April 17th at 12:46 pm, a suspect robbed a 25 year old man of his scooter after he had just rented it from the kiosk on the 2000 block of Shattuck Avenue. With a video of the suspect leaving the scene that the victim recorded, officers were able to recognize the suspect and found him a few blocks away. The suspect (a 54 year old man/address unknown) was arrested on suspicion of robbery and violation of probation.
Case #2019-00020497
On April 17th at 11:40 pm, a suspect (armed with scissors) tried to rob a 62 year old woman of her purse while she was walking on 2700 block of Garber Street. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black female, in her late teens or early 20’s, last seen leaving in an older white or beige sedan (possibly occupied with 3 other suspects). During the robbery attempt, the suspect cut the victim’s hand with the scissors.
Case #2019-00020481
On April 18th at 7:15 pm, two suspects robbed a 25 year old man of his laptop while the man sat inside Espresso Roma (2960 College Avenue). Witnesses described one of the suspects as a Black male, in his early 20’s, about 6’1” tall, with a thin build, wearing a white hooded top. Witnessed described the other suspect as a Black male, in his early 20’s, about 5’9” tall, with a thin build, thin mustache, wearing a blue jump suit.
Case #2019-00020784
Just after midnight on April 20th, a suspect armed with a handgun robbed a 22 year old man of his backpack while he was walking on the 2600 block of Parker Street. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, about 25-30 years old, about 6’0” tall, heavyset, wearing a dark blue zip-up hooded top.
Case #2019-00021024
On April 20th at 12:30 am, a suspect armed with a handgun robbed a 17 year old girl of her cell phone while she was walking on Dwight Way (near Ellsworth Avenue). Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, about 5’6” tall, with a medium build, wearing a white/gray hooded top—last seen driving away in a white or gray sedan.
Case #2019-00021029
On April 20th at 7:50 am, a suspect robbed an 18 year old man of his cell phone and wallet while he was jogging in the area of Monterey Avenue and Hopkins Street. Witnesses described the suspect as a White male, 16-18 years old, about 5’7” to 5’9” tall, with a large build, bushy blond hair, wearing a gray t-shirt and tan pants. The victim was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene after being punched unconscious during the robbery. The victim’s cell phone was found abandoned nearby and returned to the victim.
Case #2019-00021062
On April 20th at 1 pm, two suspects robbed a 52 year old man of his tricycle while he standing on the 3000 block of Adeline Street. Witnesses described one of the suspects as a White female, about 5’0” tall, with a slim build, wearing a black short sleeve shirt and blue jeans. Witnesses described the other suspect as a White male, about 5’10” tall, with a bald head, with tattoos on both arms. The stolen tricycle was later found abandoned on the 1700 block of 63rd Street and returned to the victim.
Case #2019-00021117
On April 20th at 5:40 pm, a suspect robbed a 22 year old woman of her rental bicycle while she was stopped on the 1200 block of Fourth Street. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, about 20-30 years old, 5’9” to 6’0” tall, wearing a red sweatshirt and black pants.
Case #2019-00021167
Recent Thefts
On April 16th at 7:52 pm, a suspect snatched a cell phone from the hands of a 26 year woman while she was walking on the 2800 block of College Avenue (near Russell Street). Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, wearing a black and red shirt, faded blue jeans, a dark cap—last seen running to a white sedan occupied by four other suspects.
Case #2019-00020381
On April 17th at 4:55 pm, a suspect stole a laptop from a table inside Alchemy Collective Café (1741 Alcatraz Avenue) after it was briefly left unattended by a customer.
Case #2019-00020538
A familiar theme among many of these incidents is the theft of personal electronic devices. When travelling with your personal electronic device—such as a cell phone or laptop, consider keeping it out of sight when possible. If you see something that you think is suspicious, be sure to say something by notifying the nearest police agency.
Address/Location
Berkeley Police Department
2100 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-981-5900