Features

Heisters Flash Piece, Grab Cash 

Two angry young men, one packing a pistol, braced a hapless pedestrian near the intersection of Stuart and Fulton streets shortly before 3 a.m. last Friday, relieving him of his cash before fleeing on foot, according to Joe Okies, the new Berkeley Police spokesperson. 

An hour later, another pair of bandits, one wearing an mask and both equipped with strong arms rather than pistols, relieved another pedestrian of his cash near Milvia Street and Channing Way. 

No suspects have been arrested in either crime. 

Eight hours later, another strong-arm artist was less fortunate after he plied his craft at the Walgreen Drug Store at San Pablo Avenue and Burnett Street. 

Police arrested Geoffrey Murihai, 27, on a charge of robbery and provided him with new accommodations at Berkeley City Jail. 

Strong-Arm Trios Strike, Burglar Loses Bigtime 

Three young men approached a woman on Dwight Way at Warring Street a half hour after midnight Saturday night, stealing her purse before fleeing into the night. 

Another man was less fortunate three hours later when a baseball-bat-and-knife-weilding trio confronted him at Bancroft Way and Fourth Street. After imparting minor injuries, they departed with his cash. 

Police have made no arrests in either case, said Officer Okies. 

Another alleged bandit strong-armed his way into the strong arms of the law Saturday night during an attempted heist of Tower Records at Durant and Telegraph. 

Police arrested Kaidi Cluchette, 25, shortly before 11 p.m. on charges of robbery and assault on a police officer, charges rendered more serious because of a prior theft conviction. 

Melee Ends in Injuries 

Barely 80 minutes after the Tower Records caper, officers were back at Telegraph and Durant, responding to reports of a melee. 

By the time they arrived shortly after 12:13 a.m., the five-on-five fracas had ended and nine of the participants had ankled it outta there, leaving one of their number nursing injuries serious enough to require a trip to the hospital. 

No suspects had been identified, and no further details were available, said Officer Okies. 

Angry Pedestrian Jailed for Bashing Cop 

A Berkeley police officer got more than he counted on early Sunday evening when he questioned a pedestrian at Sacramento and Oregon streets. So did the pedestrian. 

After the irate walker landed a punch, the officer subdued him and gave him a free ride to the city lockup. 

Danduval Hartwell, 46, was booked on charges of assaulting an officer, interfering with a police officer, and violating the terms of his probation from an earlier conviction. 

Robbers Take Note, Hit Berkeley Banks 

Note-toting bank robbers struck three times in Berkeley last Wednesday, said Officer Okies, but failed on their first two efforts. 

The first heist attempt came shortly after 9 a.m. when a man walked into a bank at Vine Street and Shattuck Avenue and presented a note demanding the teller fork over the cash. 

When the lucre wasn’t forthcoming, the frustrated robber fled. 

The next attempt took place shortly after 1 p.m., when a pair of would-be robbers ambled into a bank at San Pablo and University avenues and presented their withdrawal demand, leaving after they realized that no one was rushing to dish out the dollars. 

The third time proved the charm. Two bandits walked into a bank at College and Ashby avenues, asked for money, and a teller complied. 

Officer Okies said robbery detectives hadn’t released any details of the crimes nor any detailed descriptions of the would-be and actual perps. 

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