Features

Police Briefs

Kenyatte Davis
Tuesday July 03, 2001

A 78-year-old woman was nearly killed Saturday afternoon when an attempted purse snatch escalated on the 2300 block of McGee Avenue. 

As the victim prepared to leave her home about 3:30 p.m. she noticed a car driving slowly back and forth along her street, said Lt. Russell Lopes, spokesperson for the Berkeley Police Department. When she was about to get into her car, a man allegedly grabbed her from behind, took her purse and ran to the car parked directly behind hers.  

He ran to the same car she had seen driving up and down the block earlier. Lopes said the victim started screaming that her purse had been stolen, and her 60-year-old brother, who shares the McGee Avenue home, ran out and began punching the suspect in the face through the open car window as the suspect attempted to start the car.  

At the same time, the victim opened the passenger door and attempted to retrieve her purse from the seat, Lopes said. When the victim had her upper body in the car the suspect allegedly sped in reverse causing the open car door to deeply cut the victims legs, which caused her to fall and hit her head on the cement.  

Lopes said the suspect then sped away. 

The victim was in stable condition after surgery at Highland Hospital in Oakland.  

Police are still looking for the suspect described as a white or Hispanic male, 26-30 years old, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 1 inch with black hair in a ponytail driving a blue or gray 1989 to 1991 model two-door car. 

••• 

A man walking home was attacked and cut deeply by a man with a knife near Mabel and 67th streets just after midnight on Saturday. 

Lopes said the victim was approached by a casual acquaintance that accused the victim of owing him $20. The suspect allegedly pulled a folding blade and slashed at the victim, cutting him severely on the right hand. 

The victim was treated at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley and released. No arrests have been made. 

••• 

The manager of the Ramada Inn at 920 University Ave. was arrested for spraying a traveler in the face with an aerosol can of air freshener. 

Lopes said the victim, who lives in Hartford, Conn., was loitering with a group of friends in the lobby of the Ramada Inn when the manager asked him to leave.  

When he refused, the manager allegedly sprayed him in the face with an air freshener burning the victim’s eyes. 

The suspect was arrested and charged with assault with a caustic chemical and the victim, who declined medical attention was served a citation for trespassing.