Features

Cellular Intimidation 

A bandit threatened a Berkeley woman into handing over her cell phone about 4:50 p.m. Monday as she was walking along California Street near the University Avenue intersection, reports Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Shira Warren. 

Library Tree Vandal 

Police were called to the Berkeley Public Library shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday after a witness reported that someone had vandalized a street tree near the building’s entrance at 2090 Kittredge St. 

Good Place for Crash 

A woman was trapped in her car after a collision near the corner of Russell Street and College Avenue at 1 p.m. Tuesday, said Officer Warren. 

Fortunately, the crash happened within feet of Fire Station No. 3, so help was right at hand. 

According to a firefighter, the woman’s car was driven up a utility pole support wire and flipped over, trapping the driver inside until the jaws of life arrived. 

The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. 

Rat Pack Stick-up 

A gang of five young males forced an 18-year-old Berkeley resident to fork over his wallet after they braced him near the corner of Woolsey and Ellis streets a few minutes before midnight Tuesday. 

Rape Reported 

Officer Warren said she was unable to offer any additional information about a rape that was reported at 4 p.m. Wednesday near the corner of Spaulding Avenue and Addison Street.a