Editorials

Robbery with a Caddy 

Two men brandishing a gun and driving an old Cadillac stole a pair of purses early Tuesday morning, according to police. 

Berkeley Police Department spokesperson Officer Kevin Schofield said the two men pulled up alongside two women in the 2400 block of Telegraph Avenue just before 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, and one leapt out with a gun, demanding that the victims turn over their purses. 

The suspects made off with the purses, which included over $100 in cash, in an “older gold or gray” Cadillac and were last seen heading north on Telegraph, according to Schofield. 

The witnesses described the robbers as men in their twenties, one of medium build and one of large build. Police had not made any arrests as of Thursday afternoon. 

—David Scharfenberg 

Vodka heist 

A young man, described as 16 to 18 years old, entered Andronico’s Market at 1850 Solano Ave. Tuesday afternoon and stole six bottles of vodka, according to police. 

Berkeley Police Department spokesperson Officer Kevin Schofield said the burglar, described by witnesses as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 140 pounds, was wearing a white t-shirt and baseball cap, with dark pants. 

The burglar escaped on foot and was last seen fleeing west on Solano Avenue. Police, responding to a 1:31 p.m. call, could not find him, Schofield said. 

—David Scharfenberg 

Mid-day robbery 

A gun-wielding robber made off with an undisclosed amount of cash in a brazen mid-day stick-up on the corner of Curtis Street and Bancroft Way Wednesday afternoon, according to police. 

Berkeley Police Department spokesperson Officer Kevin Schofield said the robber approached the victim from behind and demanded money, before fleeing westbound on Channing Way. 

The suspect was described as a 25-30 year-old male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 150 pounds with brown eyes, a medium build and “a round face.” The robber was wearing a cap with a visor and a short-sleeved shirt, according to police.  

—David Scharfenberg 

High-speed chase 

A 50-minute high-speed chase stretching from Berkeley to Sacramento came to an end just before 2 p.m. Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

According to Officer J.D. Cook, an unidentified suspect driving a stolen car got on Interstate Highway 80 and was pursued by CHP officers at speeds up to 110 mph. Cook said the suspect was taken into custody near Sacramento. 

No further information was immediately available. 

—Bay City News