Berkeley crime roundup: Carjacking, catalytic converter theft, arson
Readers asked Berkeleyside about several crimes over the past week: a carjacking and a catalytic converter theft Monday as well as three arson reports on New Year’s Day.
Readers asked Berkeleyside about several crimes over the past week: a carjacking and a catalytic converter theft Monday as well as three arson reports on New Year’s Day.
Police arrested a 35-year-old woman early Monday morning after she reportedly set a neighbor’s tent on fire on Second Street in northwest Berkeley.
Video of the teahouse attack has gone viral on Twitter, and has been viewed more than 160,000 times.
After a mostly quiet year, violent felony investigations ticked up in Berkeley in August, resulting in a number of arrests and charges.
This is the second trash can arson fire on the same block in 12 days. Rabbi Chai Levy, who heads the congregation, does not believe it was a hate crime.
The fire was an act of terror, said Pastor Michael McBride, who leads the 48-year-old Way Christian Church. He questioned the “timid” response to the incident from Berkeley’s leaders.
A grass fire at Aquatic Park on Tuesday led to the arrest of a homeless woman in the area on suspicion of felony arson, police report.Â
A 38-year-old man has been charged with arson after authorities say he set two fires in Berkeley and one in Oakland.
Community support has poured in over the past few days at a Berkeley LGBTQ center where a man burned a rainbow flag and punched a volunteer Friday, according to police.
Alfredo Bautista, 24, allegedly admitted to police that he started eight fires in the area.
Fire investigators now believe the fire that coursed through 20 acres in the Berkeley and Oakland hills may have been arson.
A 43-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after police say he tried to set his former girlfriend’s tent on fire as she slept, then violently attacked her last week.
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