Features

Police Blotter

Hank Sims
Wednesday February 06, 2002

Man beat up by three robbers on Channing 

 

A man was brutally beaten and robbed after going to visit a friend on Channing Way Friday night, according to Lt. Cynthia Harris of the Berkeley Police Department.. 

The victim had parked his car on the 1300 block of Channing, near the corner of Valley Street, at around 11:30 p.m. He went to knock at his friend’s door, but the friend was not in. 

Turning back to walk toward his vehicle, the victim was confronted by three men. They blocked his path. 

The victim told the suspects that he was waiting for a friend. 

One suspect said, “You’re not going anywhere.” 

When the victim tried to walk away, one of the suspects punched him in the face with a closed fist. The victim ran, but the suspects caught up with him and knocked him to the ground. 

The suspects demanded the victim’s wallet. One went through his pockets, taking his wallet and car keys. 

The suspects fled to the victim’s car, but the vehicle would not start. The victim fled and called police on his cell phone. When police arrived, they found the man’s car still there, but the suspects gone. 

The suspects were young black males between the ages of 15 and 19. One suspect was around 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighed about 150 pounds. He was wearing a light gray, hooded sweatshirt. 

Another suspect was about the same height and wore all black clothing. Police do not have a description of the third suspect. 

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at 981-5900. 

 

Avenue Liquors robbed 

 

Two homeless men were arrested after attempting to burglarize a fire-damaged liquor store Monday evening, according to Harris.  

The police department received a call from a neighbor of Avenue Liquors at 3051 Telegraph Ave. around 8 p.m. The neighbor said that while taking out his recycling, he noticed two men lurking about behind the store, which had burned beyond repair last Saturday. 

After calling the police, the neighbor went outside again and noticed the suspects were gone, but the door to a shed attached to the business was open. He heard noises coming from the shed. 

When police arrived, they confirmed that noises were coming from the shed. They posted officers around the perimeter of the property. 

Suddenly, one suspect peered out from the shed. Police entered and arrested the two men, noticing that a window from the shed into the business had been broken. 

The suspects were taken into custody and booked into the Berkeley Jail. 

 

Ultrasound stolen from car parked on Dwight 

 

An hour later, in West Berkeley, an ultrasound machine was stolen from an Oakland man’s car, according to Lt. Harris. 

Police received a call to 2499 Fourth St., at the corner of Dwight Way. The victim informed them that a window of his car had been smashed in, and the machine was gone. 

Police have no suspects at this time. 

 

Callers respond to gunshots 

 

Police received a number of calls from concerned citizens living around the corner of Russell and California streets Thursday. 

The calls, which started coming in around 7:15 p.m., said guns were being fired outside. 

Police arrived to find a number of spent shells and a damaged vehicle, but no victims and no suspects.