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Berkeley police are investigating two strong-arm robberies that occurred Monday evening. 

The first robbery was reported at 6 p. m. Monday in front of 2300 Sacramento St. The victim was standing on the sidewalk when the suspect walked up to him and began a conversation. Then the suspect asked the victim for money and when he was refused he walked away. But he returned approaching the victim from behind and grabbed the victim’s arms to subdue him, according to police reports. The victim struggled to free himself and the suspect walked away again. Later the victim realized that his wallet was missing. 

The suspect is described as an African-American male in his early 40s, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, wearing a green waist-length jacket, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. 

In another incident at 6:30 p.m. Monday, a woman was robbed by a man who took her wallet when she attempted to purchase gasoline in the Shell Station at Ashby and San Pablo avenues. 

As she prepared to use the gasoline pump after placing her credit card back in her wallet, the suspect approached the front of her car and threatened to kill her if she didn’t hand over her wallet, according to Capt. Bobby Miller of the Berkeley Police Department. 

The woman was frightened, and the suspect tried to grab her wallet as she screamed for help. The suspect pushed her back against her vehicle, and another man came to her rescue. The thief was able to steal her wallet, and he ran eastbound on Ashby Avenue. 

The suspect is described as an African-American male in his 30s, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, thin build, wearing a royal blue sweatsuit.