Berkeley, California (Monday, August 17, 2020) - 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:
Click here to go to the City’s Open Data Portal
Note: The descriptions of suspects are only provided on cases where a description has been provided to us and the suspect has not already been arrested. Descriptions and information about persons who have already been arrested can be found with the above link to the Department’s Arrest Log, which provides information about persons arrested over the past 30 days.
Arson Investigation
On July 26th at 9:25 pm, fire personnel discovered a tent on fire on the 2600 block of Shattuck Avenue. Fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish the flames and determined that the fire had been intentionally set outside of the tent by an unknown suspect. At the time of the fire, there was a person sleeping inside the tent who was not injured.
Case 2020-00035095
Arson Investigation
On July 29th at 12:43 am, emergency personnel (police and fire) responded to The Way Christian Center (1305 University Avenue) on a report of a fire. Read more—(prior release)
Case 2020-00035455
If anyone has any information about either of these arsons, please call BPD’s Property Crimes Unit at (510) 981-5737.
2 Suspects charged after gunfire incident on Durant Avenue
On July 25th at 1 pm, an unknown suspect fired a bullet through the door of an apartment on the 2200 block of Durant Avenue. Fortunately, no one was struck by the gunfire. The residents found the bullet on the floor after it struck their child’s toy. Read more—(prior release)
Case 2020-00034934 & 2020-00034956
Attempted Robbery
On July 27th at 3 pm, a woman in her 30’s was using the ATM machine at Wells Fargo Bank (2144 Shattuck Avenue) when a suspect approached her and asked for money. When the woman refused, the suspect cursed at the woman and tried to punch her in the face. The woman was able to move out of the way and avoid being punched. The women fled the area and was able to get away from the suspect. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, in his 20’s, about 6’0” to 6’1” tall, with a thin build, wearing a black jacket, jeans, blue face mask and a red backpack.
Case 2020-00035194
Armed Robbery
On July 31st at 10:45 pm, a man in his 60’s was waiting at a bus stop in the area of San Pablo Avenue and Parker Street when a suspect approached him from behind. The suspect pointed a knife at the man and demanded his wallet. After taking the man’s wallet, the suspect fled southbound on San Pablo Avenue and was not located. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black Male, 50-55 years old, about 5’7” tall, wearing a blue jacket and jeans.
Case 2020-00035936
Person struck by gunfire in North Berkeley
On August 1st at 3:53 am, officers responded to the area of Solano Avenue and Fresno Avenue on a report of gunfire in the area. Read more—(prior release).
Case 2020-00035962
Armed Robbery
On August 1st at 5:50 am, a suspect armed with a handgun robbed the cashier at 7-11 (2887 College Avenue) of money from the register. The suspect was described as a Black male, 30-40 years old, 6’ tall, wearing black bandana on his face and black clothing. The suspect was last seen driving away in a red/burgundy color minivan with a second unknown suspect.
Case 2020-00035964
Armed Robbery
On August 1st at 10:54 pm, a man in his 20’s was at his vehicle on the 1800 block of Tenth Street when three suspects approached him. The suspects forced the man across the street to an inconspicuous area and threatened him with a handgun. After taking cash from the man’s pockets, the suspects ran away southbound on Tenth Street. Witnesses described the suspects as three unknown race men wearing all black clothing and masks.
Case 2020-00036087
Armed Robbery
On August 2nd at 11:38 am, a man in his 40’s was standing in front of Farmacy (3243 Sacramento Street) when a suspect approached him armed with a knife. The suspect placed the knife to the man’s ribs and demanded his property. After taking the man’s property, the suspect was last seen driving away in a silver SUV.
After investigating the incident further, detectives were able to identify the vehicle (previously reported as carjacked in the City of San Francisco) and marked it as a vehicle also wanted in connection with the robbery. On August 3rd, Oakland Police arrested the suspect after the suspect committed several other crimes.
On August 4th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 31-year-old Oakland man) with PC 211—Robbery along with several other charges.
Case 2020-00036153
Street Robbery
On August 6th at 5:55 pm, a woman in her 20’s was using her cellphone on her front porch on the 1000 block of Channing Way when a suspect ran up and grabbed her phone from her hands. The suspect fled with the property and was last seen running to a nearby getaway car with others inside. (See case update)
Case 2020-00036813
Street Robbery
On August 6th at 7:31 pm, a woman in her 40’s was walking on Alcatraz Avenue (near Idaho Street) when she heard people quickly approaching from behind her. The two suspects grabbed the woman’s cellphone from her hands, but she was able to quickly snatch the phone back. Though the suspects ran away, witnesses were able to take a photo of the suspect’s getaway vehicle as they fled. (See case update)
Case 2020-00036829
Armed Robbery
On August 6th at 8:49 pm, a woman in her 40’s had just finished parking her car on the 1400 block of Milvia Street when two suspects approached her—one of them armed with a handgun. After taking the woman’s purse, the suspects ran to their waiting getaway vehicle and drove off. Witnesses described one of the suspects as a Black male, in his 20’s, about 5’10” tall, with a thin build, wearing a dark hooded top and dark pants. Witnesses described the other suspect as a Black male, about 5’8” tall, with a thin build, wearing a dark hooded top and dark pants.
Case 2020-00036831
Armed Robbery
On August 6th at 8:51 pm, a woman in her 20’s had just finished parking her car on the 1700 block of Grant Street when two suspects approached her—one of them armed with a handgun. When the woman hesitated, the suspects punched her until she could no longer hold onto her cellphone. After taking the woman’s belongings, the suspects ran away northbound on Grant Street. Witnesses described one of the suspects as Black male in his 20’s, about 5’11 tall, with a thin build and wearing dark clothing.
Case 2020-00036832
Armed Robbery
On August 6th at 9:30 pm, a suspect armed with a handgun robbed the cashier at Walgreens (2995 San Pablo Avenue) of money from the register. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, 20-25 years old, 5’5” to 5’8” tall, with a slim build, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
Case 2020-00036839
Arson Investigation
On August 6th at 8:51 pm, the Fire Department responded to Congregation Netivot Shalom (1316 University Avenue) on a report of a fire. Read more—(prior release).
Case 2020-00036856
Commercial Burglary suspects arrested
On August 9th at 4:46 am, two suspects burglarized Cedar Market (1601 California Street)—taking cash and other items. After viewing video surveillance of the burglary, detectives were able to identify the suspects and their (stolen) getaway vehicle.
On August 11th, officers located the suspects in the City of Oakland and arrested them. When officers searched the vehicle, officers found a loaded handgun with a high capacity magazine as well as burglary tools and several pieces of stolen items and information.
While investigating the stolen property, detectives learned that the items had been stolen during a commercial burglary at a Shell Gas station (3535 Pierson Street, Oakland, CA) on August 3rd.
The suspects (a 40-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, no address provided) were arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle as well as weapon and identity theft related charges.
Case 2020-00037116
Armed Robbery
On August 10th at 5:02 pm, a television news camera person was loading his van at Congregation Netivot Shalom (1316 University Avenue) when a suspect robbed the camera person at gunpoint. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, in his 40’s, about 5’11” tall, with a thin build—last seen running eastbound on University Avenue.
Case 2020-00037293
Suspects arrested for catalytic converter theft
On August 12th at 3:18 am, an alert resident spotted a vehicle double-parked next to a Toyota Prius in the area of LeConte Avenue and LeRoy Avenue. The resident could see light coming from underneath the Prius and could hear the sound of power tools—followed by the sound of metal being dragged on the ground.
Arriving minutes later, an officer spotted the suspect’s vehicle driving on LeConte Avenue with its headlights off. When officers stopped the vehicle, they discovered a catalytic converter in the rear passenger’s lap and also saw that there was a floor jack and saw on the floorboard of where the front passenger was seated.
Searching the vehicle further, officers discovered other burglary tools, 2 ½ grams of methamphetamines and other stolen items.
The suspects (a 31-year-old Stockton man, a 31-year-old Vacaville man and a 30-year-old Stockton man) were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property and possession of controlled substances.
Case 2020-00037477
Gunfire in the area of King Street & 62nd Street
On August 12th at 4:18 pm, officers responded to the area of King Street and 62nd Street after receiving reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they did not find anyone struck by gunfire. According to witnesses, soon after the gunfire there was an SUV that was observed leaving the area with a bullet hole in the rear window.
Case 2020-00037565