Berkeley, California (Thursday, July 9, 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 open 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.
Man attacked on the corner of University Avenue and San Pablo Avenue
On June 21st at 6:55 pm, a man in his 30’s was standing on the corner of University Avenue and San Pablo Avenue when an unknown suspect approached him from behind and began hitting him in the head. According to witnesses, the suspect punched the man in the head several times—knocking the man to the ground.
Witnesses described the suspect as an unknown race man with a light complexion, 28-30 years old, about 6’ tall, with a heavy build—possibly armed with brass knuckles.
Case 2020-00029659
Laptop Theft
On June 24th at 5:05 pm, a woman in her 20’s was sitting on a bench outside of Peet’s Coffee (3200 College Avenue) with her laptop on her lap. While there, a suspect reached over her shoulder from behind her and grabbed the laptop from her lap. The woman turned and saw two suspects running to a vehicle waiting nearby. The woman chased after the suspects, but they were able to drive away—west on Alcatraz Avenue.
Witnesses described the suspects as two Black males, about 16-19 years old, 6’ tall, with thin builds. The suspect who took the laptop was wearing a yellow bandana, gray cargo pants. Both last seen leaving in a silver sedan.
Case 2020-00030111
Street Robbery
On June 25th at 5:43 pm, a woman in her 50’s was walking in the area of Claremont Avenue and Brookside Drive—carrying a bag of groceries and her cellphone in her hands. Suddenly, a suspect approached and grabbed the woman by the hair. The suspect pulled the woman to the ground and began punching her—demanding her cellphone. Once the suspect took the woman’s cellphone, the suspect ran to a waiting vehicle and drove off.
Witnesses were only able to describe the suspect as a Black female—last seen driving away in 2-door sedan with a male driver.
Case 2020-00030280
Burglar arrested in the Elmwood neighborhood
On June 26th at 4:17 am, a woman was asleep in a bedroom of her Elmwood neighborhood home when she woke to the sight of a suspect standing over her. The woman started yelling at the suspect—waking others inside the home. Hearing the commotion, other family members came to her aid and forced the suspect out of their home.
With the description witnesses provided for the suspect, officers were able to capture the suspect a few blocks away.
During the course of the investigation, officers learned information that led them to believe that the suspect may have entered to commit a sexual assault.
On June 30th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 39-year-old man, no address provided) with PC 220(b)—Burglary with intent to commit sexual assault, PC 459—Burglary and PC 667.5(c)(21)—special allegation of crime committed during a residential burglary.
Case 2020-00030339
Recent gunfire in the South Campus
On June 28th at 10:04 pm, officers responded to the South Campus area after hearing gunfire in the area. While on their way, a witness reported to officers that they saw a suspect with a gun at Telegraph Avenue and Parker Street. When officers arrived to the area, they were able to safely detain two suspects. When officers searched the suspects, they found a handgun with a high capacity magazine, additional ammunition along with a methamphetamine pipe. A check of the handgun revealed it was previously reported stolen.
The suspects were arrested on suspicion of several weapon and drug offenses.
During the course of the investigation, officers learned that one of the suspects were also involved in two other incidents that occurred earlier in the evening.
- At 8 pm, a woman in her 20’s was walking on San Pablo Avenue near University Avenue when she noticed a suspect following her. The suspect approached the woman and made flirtatious advances at her. When the woman rejected his advances, the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it the woman. In fear for her life, the woman ran to a nearby business for safety (BPD Case 2020-00030733).
- At 8:20 pm, UCPD responded to the 2500 block of Haste Street after receiving a ShotSpotter alert of gunfire. Although there were no victims or damage from gunfire found that evening, BPD detectives later learned that the suspects involved in the Telegraph Avenue/Parker Street incident had just come from People’s Park (People’s park is adjacent to the 2500 block of Haste Street). When BPD searched People’s Park the following morning, they found evidence of another shooting (BPD Case 2020-00030803).
On June 30th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged one of the suspects (a 38-year-old man, no address provided) with PC 245(b)—Assault with a deadly weapon, PC 12022.5(a)—special allegation for using a firearm, PC 29800(a)(1)—convicted person in possession of a firearm, PC 25850(a)—carrying a loaded firearm, PC 25850(c)(1)—special allegation and PC 30305(a)(1)—convicted person in possession of ammunition.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the other suspect (a 26-year-old Oakland man) with PC 29800(a)(1)—convicted person in possession of a firearm, PC 25850(a)—carrying a loaded firearm, PC 25850(c)(1)—special allegation and PC 30305(a)(1)—convicted person in possession of ammunition.
Case 2020-00030754
Man arrested after breaking into a Collegiate Greek System residence
On June 30th at 12:09 pm, officers responded to a Collegiate Greek system residence on the 2700 block of Channing Way after receiving reports that a suspect was breaking into the building. When officers arrived, officers learned that the suspect kicked a hole in the front door and used a fire extinguisher to break a nearby window to get inside. The people inside the residence locked themselves in their rooms and could hear the suspect yelling “Wrath of God”—and believed he may have been armed with a knife.
When officers searched the residence, they discovered the suspect in kitchen near the knives and holding a metal object in his hands. Officers instructed the suspect to come out of the kitchen with his hands-up, but he refused. Officers then fired one less-lethal foam projectile at the suspect’s thigh and the suspect then complied with the officers.
The suspect (a 51-year-old Berkeley man) was arrested on suspicion of burglary and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Case 2020-00030954 / 2020-00032114
Food delivery person attacked
On June 30th at about 11:45 pm a woman in her 30’s was delivering food in the area of Blake Street and Chilton Street when a suspect approached her from behind, threw a blanket over head, and began to suffocate her. Thankfully, the suspect was scared away by the sounds of other people in the neighborhood—last seen running away west on Blake Street.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, 20-30 years old, about 6’ tall, with a thin build, short curly hair and wearing dark clothing.
Case 2020-00031054
Man charged after a vandalism series
Between June 28th and July 5th, 40 or more vehicles parked throughout Berkeley were damaged after a suspect jumped and/or kicked-them—leaving distinctive shoe prints. After investigating those incidents, officers were able to identify the suspect and arrested him soon after. The suspect (a 24-year-old man, no address provided) was arrested on suspicion of vandalism and possession of stolen property.
On July 7th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with multiple counts of felony vandalism.
Case 2020-00091315
Man charged after a series of residential burglaries
On July 1st, detectives arrested a known suspect after a series of residential burglaries in South Campus area of Berkeley over the past few weeks.
On July 2nd, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 34-year-old Oakland man) with several counts of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Case 2020-00027711
Man charged after unlawful entry
On July 3rd, a woman returned to her unit in the Redwood Gardens Senior living apartment complex to discover her unit filled with cigarette smoke and the sound of the shower running. When officers arrived, the located the suspect in the shower and arrested him without incident. When officers searched the suspect, they discovered a wallet containing someone else’s identification and credit cards.
On July 6th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 37-year-old man, no address provided) with unlawful entry and possession of stolen property.
Case 2020-00031469
UPDATES FROM SOME OLDER CASES:
Arson suspect arrested
On March 28th at 10:30 pm, emergency personnel responded to a Collegiate Greek system residence on the 2700 block of Dwight Way for a structure fire. When officers arrived, they learned that a blanket had been set on fire and that the sprinkler system for the building had been shut-off. About 20 minutes prior to this incident, there was a previous call where someone had specifically shut-off the sprinklers.
When officers reviewed the security video surveillance recordings for the building, they a saw a suspect take the blanket that had been hanging outside along with what appeared to bottle of liquor in the suspect’s other hand. The suspect walks out of the camera’s view momentarily and then returns into view—where officers saw the suspect pour the liquid from the bottle onto a windowsill of the building. The suspect then tried to use a lighter to ignite a fire on the windowsill. When that did not work, the suspect then used the lighter to set the blanket on fire.
Over the next few days, officers were able to identify the suspect and requested a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.
On June 17th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 36-year-old woman, no address provided) with PC 451(b)—Arson of an inhabited structure.
On June 27th, officers located the suspect in People’s Park and arrested her on the outstanding warrant.
Case 2020-00016914
Man charged with Child Molestation
On May 24th at 3:30 pm, a man and his 10-year-old son were outside of their residence in the area of Willard Park. While there, a suspect walked to the front of their residence and defecated. When the man told the suspect to leave the area, the suspect asked the man if he could have sex with his 10-year-old son—scaring the boy. The man was able to take a photo of the suspect as he left the area, which he provided to the officers who responded.
After investigating the incident further, officers were able to identify the suspect and requested a warrant for his arrest. On June 24th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect with child molestation and issued an arrest warrant.
On June 26th, officers located the suspect (a 27-year-old man, no address provided) and arrested him on his outstanding warrant.
Case 2020-00025257 / 2020-00030442
Man charged after series of Commercial Burglaries
On June 5th at 3:28 am, a suspect burglarized Anthony’s Cookies (2575 San Pablo Avenue). In the process of breaking into the business, the suspect left DNA at the scene. After receiving a DNA match, detectives were able to link the suspect (a 66-year-old Oakland man) to several other burglaries.
On July 6th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (who was already in-custody for another offense) with multiple counts of burglary.
Case 2020-00027193