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Flash: Berkeley's Ashkenaz Robbed at Gun Point at Midnight; Two Employees Wounded;One Suspect Still At Large (BPD Press Release)

Ofc. Jennifer Coats Public Information Officer
Saturday March 16, 2013 - 10:15:00 AM

The Berkeley Police Department (BPD) is investigating the shooting of two employees during a robbery on March 16, 2013 at approximately 12:05 a.m., at the Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center, 1317 San Pablo Avenue. 

Two armed suspects entered the crowded business and demanded cash from the employees. During the robbery two employees were shot and wounded. 

BPD officers arrived on scene within moments and attempted to stop a subject who was fleeing from the area. The subject ran into a yard and officers quickly surrounded the block. 

Due to the violent nature of the crimes committed, BPD’s Barricaded Subject Hostage Negotiation Team (BSHNT) was called in to search for the suspect. As a safety precaution residents in the area were notified of the incident and asked to stay inside their homes. 

Berkeley Officers, working with an Alameda County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Deputy, conducted an extensive yard-to-yard search of the area looking for the suspect. During the search a suspect was located behind a building in the 1300 block of San Pablo Avenue and taken safely into custody. 

BPD’s Robbery and Homicide Detectives are investigating this robbery. One suspect remains at large. 

The injured employees were transported to a local hospital and treated for their serious injuries. 

BPD is urging anyone who may know anything about this incident to call the BPD Robbery detail at (510) 981-5742 or the 24 hour BPD non emergency number of (510) 981-5900. If a person wishes to remain anonymous, he/she can call Bay Area Crimes Stoppers (BACS) at (800)-222-TIPS (8477). Any information may be critical to solving this crime.