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Armed robbers target pedestrians

By Matthew Artz Daily Planet Staff
Friday August 16, 2002

A string of five armed robberies of pedestrians early Wednesday morning – three that happened between midnight and 12:30 a.m. – could be related, police said. 

The robberies, which occurred in central, south and west Berkeley, involved three males ranging in age from 16 to 25, according to the Berkeley Police Department. 

The first robbery occurred at about 12:05 a.m. near the main library on Kitteredge Street. Two suspects, one who was armed with a handgun, robbed two people of cash and personal items. A third suspect reportedly waited in a getaway car described as a 1980’s Toyota Celica or Corolla. 

Then, at about 12:20 a.m., three suspects approached a man in front of his apartment at the 1500 block of Oxford Street. Two suspects punched the man, and the three forced themselves into his apartment, which they ransacked before leaving with cash and personnel items. No vehicle was seen. 

A third incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. when two suspects robbed a couple leaving an ATM machine at University and San Pablo avenues. The couple reported seeing a third suspect waiting in a mid-size silver sedan. 

At about 5 a.m. a lone female was robbed at gunpoint near Shattuck and Oregon streets. The suspect allegedly got out of the rear passenger seat of a tan sports utility vehicle. 

Approximately 25 minutes later, two suspects, one who was armed with a handgun, robbed a 19-year-old male. The suspects took his wallet and fled in a dark color sports utility vehicle driven by a third suspect. 

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call police at 981-5724 or 981-5900.