Category Archives: Crime

Crime

Two robberies, one at gunpoint, occur near Cal

No one has yet been arrested in two separate robberies that occurred Sunday near campus. Image: Google Maps
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Two women were robbed, one at gunpoint, in separate incidents near the UC Berkeley campus Sunday. No one has been arrested, but police released suspect descriptions from both incidents on Monday.

At 1:58 a.m., a 20-year-old woman was walking in the 2500 block of Hillegass near Dwight Way when she heard footsteps behind her.

“She heard a voice say ‘Don’t move,’” said police in a written statement released by the University of California Police Department. “The victim turned around and suspect #1 grabbed her by the neck.” … Continue reading »

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Crime

Berkeley couple arrested with unregistered gun stash

Police said they found a couple trying to flee with numerous firearms after accidentally firing a round into a neighbor's home. Image: Google Maps
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A North Berkeley couple who officials said had stockpiled weapons and discussed “eventual war with the government” was arrested last week by the Berkeley Police Department.

Last Tuesday, just after 11:30 p.m., police received a report that someone had fired a bullet through the walls of a neighbor’s apartment in the 1700 block of Highland Place, according to court documents. Police responded and found two people, later identified as Jeremy Adrian and his girlfriend, Masayo Shinohara, on the second floor landing. … Continue reading »

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Crime

Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, 4/25-5/1

There were 43 thefts or burglaries from vehicles reported in Berkeley from April 25 to May 1, via CrimeMapping.com. There were 47 reported the prior week. There were also 14 vehicles stolen (shown in purple). Click the map for a list of incidents.
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This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley, compiled by Berkeleyside, and based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. See past crime blotters here. (Note to readers: We always appreciate tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at tips@berkeleyside.com.)

The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From April 25 to May 1, there were 23 burglary reports13 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and 17 stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.comSix robberies and 13 assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information.

April 25, Thursday

There were two thefts or burglaries from vehicles, at 12:01 a.m. at Regent Street and Dwight Way, and at 7:50 p.m. at Harold Way and Alston Way.

A robbery was reported at 5:06 a.m. in the 1600 block of University Avenue.  … Continue reading »

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Man suspected of trying to abduct 2 Berkeley girls

King Middle School
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On Thursday, May 2, officials say two sixth grade girls, who were waiting to be picked up from King Middle School, were approached by a man who asked them to help him retrieve an item from his car. The case is being treated as a possible attempted abduction.

On Friday, King Principal Janet Levenson sent an email and a recorded message via phone-tree to the King community in which she outlined what happened: “Yesterday at 3:00pm two 6th grade girls were waiting to be picked up at Berryman and Josephine,” she wrote in the email. “A man approached them saying that his keys had fallen into his car and his hand was too big to retrieve them. He pointed to the car which had the door open and was a couple of cars up the street. One girl started to go help him but her friend realized the potential danger and convinced her that they should run into the garden for help. The mom arrived almost immediately but the man was no longer there.He was described as a white male, 5’10″, thin build, brown hair and eyes, and driving a silver 4-door vehicle with no trunk (possibly a small SUV). Please be aware of who is driving around campus and remind your students to wait in front of the school.”
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Police seek help after indecent exposure arrest

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The Berkeley Police are seeking the community’s help following the arrest of a suspect for indecent exposure involving two students at Berkeley High School, both juveniles.

Investigators believe there may have been additional unreported incidents and are asking that any other possible victims come forward to report the incidents, according to a statement released by BPD on Friday May 3.

The statement continues:

“On April 23, at approximately 3:53 p.m, BPD officers were called to the area of Bancroft Way and California Street following a report from two Berkeley High students who had encountered a man masturbating in his vehicle. The suspect stopped his vehicle directly in front of the victims and exposed himself. Officers searched the area and detained a man fitting the suspect’s description three blocks from the scene of the crime. This suspect was arrested and charged with indecent exposure and a probation violation. … Continue reading »

Crime

Berkeley crime: Stabbing, robbery warrant, more

Berkeley Police cruiser. Photo: Emilie Raguso
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The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and were selected by the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. Click to see past narratives from police, and Berkeleyside’s most recent compilation of calls for service. See the most recent “calls for service” spreadsheet from the Berkeley Police.

April 20, SaturdayPolice arrested Keith Whittaker, 46, after responding to the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way for a report of a male and female fighting. Berkeley Police spokeswoman officer Jennifer Coats said, via email in response to a Berkeleyside request, that police who responded to the call spoke with Whittaker as well as a 29-year-old Berkeley woman. Coats said the man and woman, who had previously been involved in a relationship, had gotten into an “argument that escalated into a physical altercation, with the suspect striking the victim.” During the incident, police said Whittaker took money from the victim, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury when he struck her. Whittaker was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence battery, robbery, grand theft from a person, and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He remains in custody in Santa Rita Jail with a hearing set for May 9, according to the Alameda County sheriff’s department. … Continue reading »

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Crime

Guilty verdicts in Berkeley murder trial

The René C. Davidson Courthouse in downtown Oakland. Photo: Wally Gobetz
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Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley announced Monday that a jury had found four defendants in the 2009 Berkeley murders of a college student who was home for the holidays, and two other bystanders who were caught in a high-speed car chase when the defendants fled from police, guilty of murder with gang enhancements.

O’Malley said Monday in a prepared statement that the jury found Stephon Anthony, Rafael Campbell, Samuel Flowers and Anthony Price guilty of first degree murder with gang enhancements, use of a gun, and special circumstances for the killing of Charles Davis. The defendants also were found guilty of two counts of second degree murder for the killings of Todd Perea and Floyd Ross Jr. Each defendant was also found guilty of two felony counts of causing death during the flight from a pursuing peace officer. … Continue reading »

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Crime

Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, April 18-24

Selected calls for service to the Berkeley Police, March April 18-24, via CrimeMapping.com. (Scroll down for maps of home burglaries, auto burglaries and auto thefts.) The red icons show physical violence; the pink icons show drug- or alcohol-related calls. The blue icons with a white mask are robberies The green icons are fraud reports or vandalism. The yellow icons are reports of a disturbance. The blue icons marked "SC" are sexual assault calls. The orange icon represents arson. Click the map for a full list of calls.
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This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley, compiled by Berkeleyside, and based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. See past crime blotters here. (Note to readers: We always appreciate tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at tips@berkeleyside.com.)

The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From April 18-24, there were 13 burglary reports43 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and 14 stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.comFive robberies and 19 assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information. Police have also sent out a warning about multiple reports involving the “grandparent” scheme. Scroll to the bottom of this post for details.

April 18, Thursday

There were three home burglaries reported: at 8 a.m. in the 1900 block of Marin Avenue; at 12:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Michigan Avenue; and at 11:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of Ashby Avenue.  … Continue reading »

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Berkeley Police newsletter: Car stop nets guns and more

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Earlier this year, the Berkeley Police Department relaunched its monthly newsletter to let community members know about notable arrests and incidents, as well as crime prevention tips and safety resources.

Along with beat maps and police contacts for each neighborhood, the newsletter highlights arrests and open cases in Berkeley from the prior month. The fourth edition of the newsletter came out in April.

Residents can sign up to receive the monthly police newsletter by sending an email to police@cityofberkeley.info, or to their local beat officer. The newsletter is also posted online on the Police Department website. Scroll down for highlights from the newsletter. … Continue reading »

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Crime

Crime narratives from the Berkeley Police, April 14-20

Berkeley police cruisers (file), April 2013. Photo: Emilie Raguso
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The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and were selected by the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. Click to see past narratives from police, and Berkeleyside’s most recent compilation of calls for service.

Sunday, April 14: A male was walking near Prince and King streets at 4:30 a.m. when another male ran up and punched him. The robber continued to batter the victim and also demanded his cell phone, which the victim turned over. The suspect fled the area. The robber is described as Asian or Samoan, 17 to 18 years old, and 5 feet 8 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Monday, April 15: Someone threw a bottle through the front window of an apartment, damaging the window, in the 2500 block of Hillegass Avenue just before 10 p.m.

Tuesday, April 16: A caller reported hearing possibly 30 loud reports near Oregon and Sacramento streets at 12:30 a.m. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate any victims or damaged property.  … Continue reading »

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Crime

Berkeley Police arrest teen after cell phone robbery

Image: Google maps
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An Oakland teen police say ripped a cell phone from another teenager’s hand then fled during a robbery in Berkeley last week has been arrested, authorities said Tuesday.

Last Thursday afternoon, at 2:35 p.m., a 19-year-old Berkeley woman was walking in the 2100 block of McKinley Avenue when a young man approached her from behind and tried to grab the cell phone she was carrying in her hand.

“The victim and the suspect began to struggle,” said officer Jennifer Coats, Berkeley Police spokeswoman, via email. “The suspect then pushed the victim down ripping the phone from her hand. The suspect fled the area.” … Continue reading »

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Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Berkeley crime, April 11-17

Source: UCPD
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This is a partial list of recent crimes in Berkeley, compiled by Berkeleyside, and based on reports to the Berkeley Police Department unless otherwise noted. See past crime blotters here. (Note to readers: We always appreciate tips, about breaking news or neighborhood safety issues, via email at tips@berkeleyside.com.)

The following items represent just a sampling of calls, and times may be approximate. From April 11-17, there were 17 burglary reports30 auto break-in or theft from a vehicle reports, and nine stolen vehicle reports to the Berkeley Police Department, according to CrimeMapping.comFive robberies and 19 assaults, domestic violence incidents or batteries were reported. These numbers are subject to change. Click the previous links for the most current information. … Continue reading »

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Schools

Principal alerts Berkeley High parents to nearby robbery

BHS
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Berkeley High School Principal Pasquale Scuderi sent the following email memo out to parents at 5:05 p.m. It appears below in its entirety. To subscribe to the school email list, send a message to bhs-request@lmi.net with the word “subscribe” in the subject line. 

Dear Staff and Families:

We had a sizable police presence on the southeast end of campus today (Milvia and Channing).

What we can share with you is that a robbery occurred about a half mile from campus sometime between 2:40 and 2:45 p.m. There was no weapon involved in the incident and neither the victim nor the suspect were identified as BHS students. … Continue reading »

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