Features

Random attack 

A man was attacked without provocation by a stranger on Telegraph Avenue on Nov. 13. Shortly before noon, the victim was punched by a tall man in his 20s, of medium build, with tattooed arms and wearing a white T-shirt and black cap. The assailant fled immediately afterwards, according to Berkeley police spokesman Officer Andrew Frankel. 

Phone robbery 

A 34-year-old woman had her phone snatched on Nov. 15 after she was sprayed in the eyes by a young woman Saturday morning, according to Frankel. The woman was standing with a 56-year-old man on the corner of 6th Street and Hearst Avenue when they were approached by three strangers: a woman in her mid-20s, a second assailant of unknown description, and a tall, heavyset man with dreadlocks and wearing eyeglasses, a white shirt and blue jeans.  

The 34-year-old was asked by the other lady if she could use her phone. When she declined, the other woman sprayed her in the eyes with perfume and grabbed her phone. The three robbers ran eastbound on Hearst Avenue.  

Arrest after confrontation 

Around 11:16 p.m. on Nov. 16, a woman was approached on the 1400 block of Oregon Street by a man who pulled a handgun and demanded the woman’s money, Frankel said. After she handed over her cash, the woman went into the apartment of her friend and told him of the incident. The man went outside and confronted the robber. The argument turned physical: the man disarmed Romero Butticci, 30, of Berkeley, and called the Berkeley police, who took Butticci into custody. He is charged with counts of armed robbery and battery. 

Horse trainer killed 

A horse trainer at Golden Gate Fields was killed on Nov. 17 after a startled horse toppled over and crushed him, according to Berkeley police. Ignacio Ramirez, 58, of Hayward, took the horse out of the barn for exercise when the horse spooked, reared up, and fell, crushing Ramirez beneath it. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Gunpoint robbery 

An 18-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint by three youths on Milvia and Stuart streets on Nov. 17, according to Frankel. After getting off a bus at Shattuck and Stuart streets around 6:30 p.m., the 18-year old was accosted by three young men, one of them brandishing a weapon.  

The man with the gun ordered the 18-year-old to the ground, while another robber rifled through his pockets, taking cash and a cell phone. The three suspects fled east on Stuart. They are described as being between the age of 18 and 19. One wore a black peacoat and had his hair cut in a fade. Another wore a burgundy nylon jacket, while the last suspect wore a gold grill over his upper teeth, is about 6-feet-1-inch tall and wore a gray hooded sweatshirt.