Features

Berkeley Man Charged with Date Rape 

A 48-year-old Berkeley man was arrested on suspicion of rape last Saturday after his date reported that he’d forced her after she refused his advances. 

Another Bad Man Busted 

Berkeley Police busted a 19-year-old man at 3:13 a.m. Monday on charges of battery, making threats of violence and brandishing a knife at a South Berkeley woman. 

Strong-arm Purse Snatch  

A pair of older teenagers snatched a woman’s purse at 11 o’clock Monday evening. 

Domestic Call Yields Drug Cornucopia 

Responding to a report of possible domestic violence near Addison Street and San Pablo Avenue at 10:40 p.m. Monday, Berkeley officers discovered a pharmaceutical bonanza, including sale weight quantities of marijuana and cocaine, both powder and rock. In addition to the felony drug charges officers booked a Berkeley man for violating parole and probation terms from prior cases, said BPD spokesperson Officer Joe Okies. 

Face-Kicker Jailed 

A 26-year-old man was busted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after he kicked another man in the face at Shattuck Avenue and Vine Street shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday. 

Would-Be Helmet Thief Airs Blade 

After a South Berkeley man confronted a stranger trying to rip off his motorcycle shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday, the would-be bandit flashed a knife, then fled—leaving the headgear behind. 

Stubborn Motorist Takes Wrong Turn  

A 22-year-old motorist took a turn for the worse after he failed to stop for a Berkeley traffic officer who spotted him failing to yield the right of way shortly before 5 on Tuesday afternoon. 

When finally arrested after abandoning his car and fleeing onto a rooftop, the miscreant motorist was booked on charges of seizing the right-of-way, refusing to obey a lawful police order, fleeing a peace officer, driving without a valid license and interfering with a police officer. 

Claims Knife, Takes Purse  

A man claiming to have a knife confronted a woman with a purse near the corner of Blake Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday. The woman surrendered her purse and the knife never appeared. 

Car Crashes Fleeing Robbery Scene 

A 24-year-old man was arrested after a police chase and car crash following an armed robbery at San Pablo Avenue and Addison Street, reports Officer Okies. 

Responding to the robbery call at the U-Haul rental agency, officers spotted the suspected getaway car and gave chase. After the vehicle crashed at Tenth and Camellia streets, a search of the area found the suspect hiding in the REI store. He was placed into custody.  

Officers recovered the weapon and booked the suspect on suspicion of fleeing the scene of an accident. Other possible charges include armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping, failure to yield to a peace officer, and possession of a concealed weapon.?