Berkeley, California (Wednesday, July 29, 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 few 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:
To visit the city's Open Data Portal, click here.
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.
Person attacked with a pipe in south campus
On July 7th shortly before 4:29 pm, a man in his 60’s was walking on Durant Avenue (just east of Telegraph Avenue) when a suspect approached him with a metal pipe. The suspect swung the pipe at the man, but the man was able to move out of the way and run from the area.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, bald, wearing a black hat and all black clothing.
Case 2020-00032106
Suspect arrested for battery
On July 8th at 2:05 pm, a woman was walking north on College Avenue (just north of Alcatraz Avenue) when she saw two men arguing on the sidewalk. As she approached the men, one of the men punched the woman’s arm (hitting her bicep) with a closed fist. The man then fled westbound on Alcatraz Avenue and the woman called 911.
Shortly thereafter, a witness who had been following the suspect directed officers to the suspect’s location (63rd Street/Telegraph Avenue). A records check of the suspect revealed he had an active parole warrant for his arrest. The suspect (a 57-year-old man, no address provided) was arrested on suspicion of battery and for the outstanding arrest warrant.
Case 2020-00032241
Suspect arrested for possession of child pornography
On January 8th, detectives received a cyber tip that was sent to Homeland Security Investigations about child pornography being distributed through a messaging application. With this information, detectives sought a search warrant for the suspect’s messaging app account and discovered numerous files that contained video and images of child pornography.
On July 13th, detectives conducted an additional search warrant of the suspect’s residence and seized several electronic devices that are now undergoing digital analysis. The suspect (a 48-year-old Berkeley man) was arrested on suspicion of PC 311.11(a)—possession of child pornography.
Case 2020-00001299
Street Robbery
On July 13th at 4:50 pm, a woman in her 20’s was walking on the Ohlone Greenway (near Delaware Street and West Street) when three suspects approached her from behind. The suspects knocked the woman to the ground, pulled away her purse, took her bag of groceries and ran away.
Witnesses described the suspects as three Black and Hispanic juveniles wearing scarfs to cover their faces—one of the suspects described as about 5’6” tall, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a red cap and dark pants.
Case 2020-00033022
Murder Suspect arrested for violating bail terms
In 2017, a 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder and he posted one million dollars bail. The case is currently pending in Alameda County Superior Court. This month, detectives learned that the suspect had left the area and was possibly in possession of firearms.
On July 14th, the Berkeley Police Department served a search warrant at the suspect’s location with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office tactical team. Inside the residence, detectives found two handguns (one with a silencer attached) as well as multiple extended magazines.
According to the terms of his bail, the suspect was not to leave the Bay Area. Lake County is over two hours north of Berkeley.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of PC 12022.1 and is currently being held without the ability to bail. The gun violation case will be presented to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration.
Case 2016-00056225 & Case 2020-00033098
Suspect charged with gun possession
On July 14th at 3:20 am, officers responded to the 1400 block of San Pablo Avenue on a report of a suspicious circumstance where suspects inside a black sedan were seen peering into closed businesses. When officers attempted to detain the vehicle to investigate, the vehicle sped-off. While searching the area for the vehicle, officers found it abandoned in the area of Fifth Street and Addison Street. Just as officers discovered the vehicle, they also spotted a woman running away from the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, officers were able to catch-up with the woman and detain her. Although officers were not able to locate the other suspects, they did find a loaded handgun inside the vehicle, burglary tools and hundreds of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes (over 250 grams / 0.55 lbs.).
On July 15th, Alameda County District Attorney’s office charged the suspect (a 32-year-old, no address provided) with PC 25400(a)(1)—possession of a concealed weapon inside a vehicle, PC 25850(a)—possession of a loaded gun as well as several criminal enhancements.
Case 2020-00033083
Suspect arrested for sexual battery
On July 15th at about 5:10 pm, officers responded to the area of Telegraph Avenue and Durant Avenue on a report of suspicious circumstance. When officers arrived, they learned that a female restaurant worker had been standing on the corner—holding a restaurant advertisement sign when a suspect approached her from behind and pressed his aroused genitals against her.
After searching for the suspect, officers located him a block away (Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way) and arrested him.
On July 16th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 39-year-old man, no address provided) with PC 243.4(e)(1)—sexual battery.
Case 2020-00033342
Person attacked with a glass bottle
On July 15th at 8:41 pm, a man in his 60’s was sitting at the bus stop near the intersection of Ashby Avenue and San Pablo Avenue when a suspect approached the man and struck him with a glass bottle. As a result of the attack, the man was transported to a local hospital for injuries to his face.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male, in his 50’s, about 5’11” tall, with a heavy build, wearing dark clothing.
Case 2020-00033368
Street Robbery
On July 16th at 11:52 pm, a woman in her 30’s was walking in the area of Stuart Street and Regent Street when three suspects approached her from behind. Hearing the sound of footsteps quickly approaching from behind, the woman turned around moments before they reached her. Fearing that she was about to be robbed, the woman ran into the street and yelled for help. The suspects punched the woman in the head repeatedly and knocked her to the ground. While on the ground, the suspects continued their attack—kicking the woman in the head, demanding her property and threatening that they had a gun.
One of the suspects tried to take the woman’s purse/messenger bag, which was strapped around her body. As the woman was trying to unfasten the messenger bag, people from the neighborhood noticed the commotion and came out of their homes—yelling at the suspects. Two of the suspects ran-off (taking the woman’s cellphone), while the third suspect continued trying to get her messenger bag. Pulling on the still fastened messenger bag, the suspect dragged the woman across the asphalt a few feet before giving-up and running away.
Witnesses described one of the suspects as a teenage male, with a medium complexion, about 5’5” tall, with a thin build, wearing a dark blue hooded top, black face mask, blue jeans and gloves. Witnesses described the other two suspects as having a darker complexion and wearing all dark clothing.
As a result of the robbery, the woman received injuries on her head, arms and legs. The woman’s cellphone was later found abandoned on the 2800 block of Telegraph Avenue.
Case 2020-00033565
Armed Robbery
On July 17th at 1:58 pm, a man in his 60’s had just got out of his vehicle on the 1000 block of Ashby Avenue when two suspects approached him while he was at his passenger-side door. The suspects knocked the man to the ground and demanded his watch. While one of the suspects was trying to pull the watch from the man’s wrist, the man saw the other suspect was armed with a handgun. After taking the man’s watch, the suspect ran to a dark color sedan and drove-off.
Witnesses described the suspects as two Black males in their 20’s with one of the suspects wearing a gray hooded top and the other wearing a black hooded top.
Case 2020-00033632
Armed Robbery
On July 19th at 2:08 am, a man in his 20’s was out with his friends on Telegraph Avenue (just south of Durant Avenue). While there, a vehicle with four suspects inside pulled up next to them and engaged them in a conversation. Just as the vehicle was pulling away, the vehicle stopped and reversed back to the group. One of the suspects pulled out a handgun and threatened the group while another suspect ran over and started punching the man. After the man turned over his wallet, the suspects got back in their vehicle and drove off.
Witnesses described one of the suspects as a Hispanic or White male, about 6’0 tall, with a skinny build and a small mustache. Witnesses described the other suspect as a Black male, about 5’3” tall, with a medium build, wearing a zip-up jacket. Witnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as a gray sedan with two others inside.
Case 2020-00033893
Suspects arrested after Robbery
On July 21st at 4:52 pm, officers responded to Dollar Tree (1284 San Pablo Avenue) on a report of an armed robbery.
When officers arrived, they learned that an employee was attacked after she confronted three suspects outside of the store after they had shoplifted several items. During the confrontation, the suspects punched the employee and took the employee’s cellphone and hairpiece. When others in the area tried to intervene, one of the suspects pulled a handgun from inside the vehicle and threatened them. The suspects then got in their vehicle and drove-off.
Officers later spotted the suspect’s vehicle on Allston Way and tried to stop the vehicle. When the suspects saw the officer, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran into the backyards of the neighborhood. After searching the block, officers were able to later locate the three suspects (two 26-year-old men from Discovery Bay and a 24-year-old woman from Berkeley).
On July 23rd, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the three suspects with PC 211—Robbery.
Case 2020-00034330
Person attacked with a pipe in West Berkeley
On July 22nd at 7:10 pm, a man in his 20’s was standing outside of his RV on the 900 block of Gilman Street when an unknown suspect struck him in the face with a metal pipe. As a result of the attack, medical personnel evaluated the man at the scene for cuts on his face as well as a possibly broken nose.
Case 2020-00034515
Person struck by gunfire in South Berkeley—(see prior release)
On July 22nd at about 10:28 pm, officers responded to the area of California Street and Harmon Street after receiving reports that there was gunfire in the area. When officers arrived, they discovered evidence of gunfire in the street. Officers later discovered that a person and at least one parked vehicle had been struck by gunfire as well.
The person struck by gunfire (a 26-year-old Oakland man), arrived at a local hospital shortly after the reported gunfire and is expected to recover.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact BPD's Homicide Unit at (510) 981-5741.
Case 2020-00034542
Traffic leads to arrest for Heroin and a loaded gun
On July 23rd at 9:29 pm, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Bancroft Way and Sixth Street. When the officer contacted the driver (a 29-year-old Manteca woman), the officer saw that she was accompanied by a front passenger (a 44-year-old Oakland man) and an infant child—seated in a rear car seat. As the officer spoke with the driver, the officer noticed that the front passenger was holding a lactose bottle of powder and was sweating profusely (as if he was nervous). Knowing that people who use Heroin sometimes hide the substance in lactose bottles, the officers instructed the passenger to put the bottle down. Instead, the passenger opened the bottle and began to pour all the contents of the bottle out in an attempt to destroy the evidence.
When officers searched the man, they found a plastic bindle of heroine. When officers searched the vehicle, they also found a glass pipe (commonly used to inhale drugs) as well as a loaded handgun.
Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of several weapon and drug-related offenses. The passenger was also arrested on suspicion of destruction of evidence.
Case 2020-00034680
Suspect arrested for battery
On July 25th at 11:10 am, officers responded to the Berkeley Community Resource Center (1931 Center Street) on a report that a person was assaulting the homeless shelter staff. On arrival, officers learned that the incident began when the suspect tried to enter the shelter while it was closed. When one of the staff members (a woman in her 30’s) told the suspect he could not enter, the suspect pinned her to wall. When another staff person (a woman in her 30’s) tried to help, the suspect pushed her out of the way and went inside. Once confronted by another group of staff members inside, the suspect left the building.
On July 28th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect (a 26-year-old man, no address provided) with PC 602.1(b)—Interfering with a business and PC 242—Battery.
Case 2020-00034881
Person with hockey stick in mental crisis
On July 26th at 6:58 pm, officers responded to the area of Ashby Avenue and Ellis Street after receiving several calls about a man vandalizing a memorial with a baseball bat. According to callers, the man was rambling to himself and swinging the bat at signs/murals along Ashby Avenue.
When an officer arrived, he found the man on Ashby Avenue and King Street. The man was still holding a stick (which actually turned out to be a hockey stick) and appeared to me in mental crisis. Despite telling the man to drop the stick several times, the man continued walking down Ashby Avenue—telling officers that “the only way I will stop is if you shoot me!” and “I want you to kill me!”
Realizing that the man was possibly trying to commit “suicide by cop,” officers followed the man—
keeping their distance to avoid escalating the confrontation. At the intersection with Sacramento Street, officers equipped with a less-than-lethal devices arrived. The man then dropped the stick in a trashcan and officers were able to restrain him in handcuffs without further incident.
In light of the circumstances, the man (a 42-year-old Oakland man) was placed on emergency psychiatric hold and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Case 2020-00035075