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Police Blotter
A man kept his wallet – but lost his cash – after pleading with robbers Thursday evening, according to Lt. Cynthia Harris of the Berkeley Police Department.
The victim was walking near the corner of Durant Avenue and Milvia Street at about 4:20 p.m. when he was approached by two men who demanded his wallet. The victim complied, but asked the suspects to keep his cash and return the billfold. The suspects did so, then fled on foot.
The suspects are described as African-American males between the ages of 18 and 20. One suspect was around 6 feet, 2 inches tall, of thin build, wearing a white and red jacket.
The other suspect had two blue letter “X”s etched into his front teeth. He is described as being 5 feet,10 inches tall and about 150 pounds. He was wearing a black fleece jacket and black jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the BPD Robbery Detail at 981-5742.
Two dogs were stolen from their homes in Berkeley over the last few days, according to Harris.
On Tuesday, Pinky, a 3-month-old beagle puppy was stolen from his home on the 3100 block of Ellis Street on Tuesday between 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
When Pinky’s owner arrived at the home, he noticed that a locked gate had been opened. At first, the victim saw nothing amiss, but later discovered Pinky was gone.
In the other case, Miles, a tan boxer with white paws, was taken from his home on the 2700 block of Acton Street between the hours of 12:15 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday.
When the dog’s owner arrived at home on Wednesday, he discovered that Miles’ kennel, which was locked, was broken into and the dog missing.
Miles is two years old, and was wearing a black leather collar.
The two robberies occurred within a mile of each other, in roughly the same neighborhood.
The first case was logged as a petty theft; the second, grand theft.
The California Penal Code states that the theft of a dog is only considered “grand theft” if the dog is worth more than $400.
The theft of a horse, mare, gelding, mule, jack, jenny, sheep, lamb, hog, sow, boar, gilt, barrow, pig, bovine animal or “caprine animal” (goat) is automatically considered grand theft, regardless of the animal’s dollar value.
The code does not specify the regulations for the theft of a cat, but does note that the theft of any goods worth more than $400 is considered grand theft.
Grand theft is punishable by incarceration for up to a year in a state penitentiary, while the maximum punishment for petty theft is a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in the county jail.
Anyone with information about the theft of either of the dogs is asked to call the BPD Robbery Detail at 981-5742.
