Features

Cop Hit (Again) 

A Berkeley motorcycle cop struck by a car while on duty less than a year ago was struck again Wednesday when a motorist hit his motorcycle in downtown Berkeley.  

Officer Ben Cardoza did not sustain any major injuries from this week’s accident, unlike the previous one last August, which sent him to the hospital with broken bones in his leg and foot and large cuts on his arms and face. This time Cardoza came away with bruises and scratches and was able to return to work the same day—at his desk, though, not on his motorcycle, which was damaged in the accident. By Thursday, he was medically cleared for full duty.   

According to police, Cardoza was headed east on Allston Way when a motorist heading south on Milvia Street hit the back of his motorcycle. Cardoza was thrown to the ground and slid into another parked motorcycle. The owner of the parked motorcycle was standing nearby, and also sustained minor injuries. 

The motorist stopped and is cooperating with police. The California Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation but police would not release information on whether the driver ran the light at the intersection before hitting Cardoza. 

Cardoza, who has been with the department for more than four years, has not been assigned a new motorcycle yet. 

Bank Robbery 

According to police, a young man entered the Andronico’s Market at 1414 University Ave. last Friday around noon and, displaying a handgun, robbed the Wells Fargo bank located in the store. 

The assailant then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a black male in his late twenties, 5’10”, with a heavy build. At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a dark colored pea coat, a fisherman’s hat, and dark colored pants. The robbery is part of spree of bank hold-ups that the city has experienced within the last few months. 

Dead body at Aquatic Park 

A jogger saw what appeared to be a dead body lying near the water while jogging through Berkeley Aquatic Park Thursday afternoon. The jogger contacted the police, who confirmed the report.  

Berkeley Police Department spokesperson Officer Joe Oakies said foul play was not apparent. The coroner’s office is handling the case and the name and cause of death are pending. 

Robber on Bike  

On Wednesday afternoon, police report that a young man on a bike tried to rob a furniture store on San Pablo Avenue. They could not confirm whether he was trying to steal money or furniture. 

ˇ