Features

Police Blotter

By JOHN GELUARDI
Tuesday April 08, 2003

Digital Camera Stolen 

Employees from Sarber’s Camera on Solano Avenue called police on Sunday to report the theft of a digital camera valued at $3,500. According to store employees, three men entered the store around 4 p.m. and two of them began to ask a series of questions about digital cameras.  

While they kept the employees engaged, the third man made his way into an unsecured storage area on the second floor where the camera was later found to be missing. A customer told police that he saw the man leave the store with a box in a duffel bag.  

The three suspects may have left the scene in a red, four-door vehicle that could have been a Ford Taurus. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call 510-981-5740. 

 

Injuries in Bar Brawl  

An employee of the DownLow Lounge, at 2284 Shattuck Ave., called police just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning to report a fight. According to the employee, two groups of men were arguing and pushing in the club. When the employee tried to separate them, he was struck in the back of the head with an object that was likely a bottle. Another customer, who was not previously involved in the altercation, began arguing with one of the groups and was knocked to the ground.  

The club employee was treated for a laceration at the scene, and the customer, who was bleeding from the mouth, refused medical attention. 

 

City offers $15,000 reward in hills murder case 

The city of Berkeley approved a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Andre Byes, a 37-year-old Berkeley Hills resident. 

The victim was discovered on March 17 by a friend who let himself into Byes’ home on Glendale Avenue. According to police, Byes was shot multiple times with a large caliber weapon. There were no signs of forced entry into the home and police suspect that Byes may have known his murderer or murderers and let them in.  

There have been no arrests in the case, but police are investigating several possible motives for the killing.  

Byes was the second murder victim in Berkeley this year.  

Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact police at (510) 981-5741.