Cases of Community Interest 
Every month, there are numerous crimes occurring in the City of Berkeley. Below are some of those cases that have occurred over the past two weeks 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-Arrests/xi7q-nji6/data
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Man arrested after threatening a person with an axe
On June 7th at about 10:49 am, a man in his 50’s was sitting on San Pablo Avenue near the 99 Cent store sign watching a movie on his cellphone. While there, a suspect approached the man and yelled at him. The man told the suspect to leave him alone and the man left only to return shortly thereafter. The suspect got in the man’s face and started punching him in the head. After a brief struggle, the suspect left and returned with an axe. The suspect threatened to kill the man with the axe and swung the axe at a parked vehicle—leaving a hole in the hood.
When officers arrived, the suspect was still chasing after the man and officers were able to detain the suspect without anyone getting injured.
On June 9th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 46-year-old man, no address provided) with brandishing a weapon, criminal threats and battery.
Case 2020-00027518
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Suspect arrested after striking a Downtown Berkeley Ambassador
On June 8th at 5:10 pm, a Downtown Berkeley Ambassador (a man in his 70’s) was walking across the street in the area of Shattuck Avenue and Kittredge Street when a suspect walked very close to him. When the Ambassador looked over at the suspect, the suspect raised his arm and elbowed the Ambassador in his face—knocking the Ambassador to the ground. The Ambassador called for help and other Ambassador’s followed the suspect as he ran from the area.
In the area of Telegraph Avenue and Howe Street, officers were able to arrest the suspect who was still being chased by other Ambassador’s. Later inside the Berkeley Jail, the suspect kicked an officer in his shin and repeatedly threatened to kill officers and jail staff.
On June 10th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 24-year-old man, no address provided) with elder abuse and battery on emergency personnel.
Case 2020-00027679
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Man punched on Shattuck Avenue
On June 8th at 7:05 pm, a man in his 30’s was walking on Shattuck Avenue near Channing Way, when an unknown suspect hit him in the head—causing him to lose balance and fall toward a nearby building. The suspect then ran away in an unknown direction. The victim was later treated for a head injury.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, 30-40 years old, about 6’ tall—wearing a black jacket.
Case 2020-00027699
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Street Robbery
On June 10th at 7 pm, a woman in her 40’s was walking southbound on Adeline Street (approaching 63rd Street) holding her cellphone. As she approached 63rd Street, the woman was struck in the back of the head with an unknown object and shoved to the ground. Two male suspects then wrestled the woman’s cellphone from her hands while she yelled for help. After taking the cellphone, the suspects ran away—westbound on 63rd Street.
Case 2020-00028041
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Street Robbery
On June 11th at about 6:50 pm, a woman in her 20’s was walking on Bowditch Street—carrying her purse and other items. Just west of Channing Way, a suspect approached the woman from behind and pushed her to the ground. The suspect then pulled the purse from the woman and ran away to a waiting vehicle.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, in his 20’s, about 6’ tall, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as an older model white sedan.
Case 2020-00028203
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Street Robbery
On June 11th at 10 pm, a woman in her 30’s was walking in the area of Channing Way and Milvia Street when an unknown suspect approached her from behind and demanded her purse and cellphone. After taking her belongings, the suspect got into a waiting vehicle and drove away.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, in his late teens or early 20’s, about 5’10” to 6’ tall, with short hair, wearing a t-shirt and gray sweatpants. Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as a white sedan with several people inside—last seen southbound on Milvia Street.
Case 2020-00028224
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Street Robbery
On June 13th at about 10:15 pm, a man in his 40’s was walking in the area of Allston Way and San Pablo Avenue when two suspects emerged from a parked vehicle and confronted the man. Fearing that he was about to be robbed, the man ran away. Unable to catch the man, the two suspects moved on to rob another bystander in the area—punching the bystander in the throat and taking his cellphone.
Witnesses described one of the suspects as a Black male, in his 30’s wearing all dark clothing. Witnesses described the other suspect as a White or Hispanic male, wearing all dark clothing. Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as a white mid-size sedan.
Case 2020-00028533
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Home Invasion Robbery
On June 16th at about 4:15 am, a resident on the 1400 block of Spruce Street was asleep in her bedroom when she awoke to seeing a suspect inside her room—removing items from her backpack and purse. The resident confronted the suspect—leading to a struggle. Shortly thereafter the suspect ran from the building.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, in his 50’s, 6’ tall, wearing all dark clothing.
Case 2020-00028834
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Gunfire reported in the area of Ninth Street and Channing Way
On June 16th at about 10:48 pm, the Berkeley Police Department received several reports of gunfire in the West Berkeley area. When officers searched the area, they discovered evidence of gunfire in the area of Ninth Street and Channing Way, but did not find anyone struck by gunfire.
Case 2020-00028959
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Street Robbery
On June 21st at 9:39 am, a resident of the 2100 block of Emerson Street saw a suspect looking into his neighbor’s windows. When the resident confronted the suspect along with another family member, the suspect clenched his fists, took a fighting stance and demanded money from the resident. When the resident refused, the suspect punched the resident in the face.
Moments later, an officer arrived and saw the suspect kicking and punching the resident. When the officer attempted to detain the suspect, the suspect walked away and refused to stop for the officer. With the assistance of other officers, the suspect was arrested two blocks away without further incident.
On June 22nd, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 28-year-old man, no address provided) with robbery, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury as well as other criminal enhancements.
Case 2020-00029605
Address/Location
Berkeley Police Department
2100 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-981-5900