Features

Knife Robbery 

A man with a knife demanded cash from a woman pedestrian outside the Pet Food Express at University and San Pablo avenues just before 9 a.m. Thursday. When the woman complied, the bandit fled on foot, said police spokesperson Officer Steve Rego. 

Hot Prowl 

The resident of a dwelling near the corner of Sacramento Street and Hearst Avenue received an unpleasant surprise shortly before 3:30 p.m. Thursday—a burglar busting in his back door. 

Mutually stunned by their encounter, the burglar bolted and the resident called police. No suspects were arrested. 

Teen Knife Flasher 

A 13-year-old boy called police after a 14-year-old confronted him with a knife near the corner of Derby and Sacramento streets Thursday afternoon. 

Simulated Pistol 

Two fellows confronted a pedestrian near the corner of University and San Pablo avenues Thursday afternoon. While one made with the “I’ve-got-a-pistol-in-my-pocket” gesture, the other heavy jumped their victim, grabbing his wallet before they fled. 

Uncooperative 

A Berkeley police officer got more than he bargained for when he stopped a pedestrian near the corner of Mabel and Parker streets shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday. 

The 65-year-old pedestrian turned on the officer, and when the dust settled, the fellow had accumulated a hefty set of criminal charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, injuring a police officer, destroying evidence and parole violation, said Officer Rego. 

Middle School Knife Flasher 

Police are looking into the case of a Willard Middle School student who reportedly shoved and cursed at a teacher after being ordered to the school office Friday morning, then returned after school to flash a knife with a three-inch blade, said Officer Rego. 

Aquatic Park Blaze 

Police responded to Aquatic Park along with the Berkeley Fire Department after three youngsters were seen fleeing the area where a grass fire started about 4 p.m. Friday. 

While firefighters doused the blaze, police searched the area for the three youths believed to have set the fire but came up empty-handed. 

Teenage Strong-Arm 

Three teenagers, one with gold caps on his front teeth, robbed a woman of her purse and cell phone outside the Berkeley Public Library on Kittredge Street about 6:15 p.m. Friday, said Officer Rego. 

Officers found a 19-year-old Oakland man in possession of some of the woman’s property. He was booked on suspicion of robbery and possession of stolen property. 

Young Robbers 

Alerted by the screams of a victim, a resident of the area near the corner of College Avenue and Garber Street called police just before 10 p.m. Friday. 

Arriving officers found that a pair of strong-arm robbers, their ages estimated at between 12 and 15, had robbed a pair of pedestrians. 

Small Silver Gun 

A 24-year-old man called police about 1:15 Saturday morning to report that two darkly clad men had just robbed him with a small silver gun near the corner of Bowditch Street and Bancroft Way, said Officer Rego. 

They made off with a wallet and cell phone. 

Gotta Smoke—er, Wallet? 

Two young men approached a pedestrian near the corner of University Avenue and California Street about 4:40 a.m. Saturday and asked for a smoke—then proceeded to mug the hapless fellow for his wallet. 

They had already rung up a charge on one of the stolen credit cards by the time they were reported missing. 

Bronco Brandishers 

A caller told police that both occupants of a white Ford Bronco had brandished pistols in his direction near the corner of Dwight Way and Dana Street just before 6 p.m. Saturday. The vehicle and its pistoleros were last reported headed southbound on Telegraph Avenue, said Officer Rego. 

Strange Shooting 

The occupant of a residence near the corner of Derby and California streets called police at 11 p.m. Saturday to report that a fellow had fired off a pistol round inside his domicile about ten minutes before. 

Described as a fellow in a black peacoat, the gunman had possibly departed in a gray motor vehicle of uncertain make. 

Home Invasion 

Police are investigating a reported home invasion at a Panoramic Way residence near Orchard Lane about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, said Officer Rego. 

Two suspects knocked on the door, and when the resident answered, the pair forced their way in, tied him up and proceeded to ransack the home before fleeing in a gray Nissan Altima. 

Officer Rego said the resident was uncertain what, if anything, had been taken in the incident.