Features

Police Blotter By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday August 30, 2005

Crime Pedalers 

In a city concerned about environmental issues, even the robbers and flashers seem to be taking the hint, using bicycles rather than gas-guzzlers as their vehicles of choice. 

Consider, for example, the following: 

 

Two thugs, one bike 

A p air of pistol-packing bandits robbed three folks of cell phones and cash in the 2300 block of Blake Street shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday and fled northbound on Dana Street, with one bandit peddling and the second holding on tight to the first, said Berkel ey Police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies. 

 

Strong-arm cyclist 

After his attempt to strong-arm a 43-year-old pedestrian of his goodies outside the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall on the 1300 block of Cedar Street shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, the foiled would-be felon made his departure on a mountain bike. 

 

Two thugs, two bikes 

A pair of bandits in their early 20s robbed two victims in the 2500 block of Parker Street at 10:18 p.m. Friday, taking cash and cell phones before they made their getaways, eac h on his own two-wheeler. 

 

Non-Cycling Criminals 

Not all of Berkeley’s criminals were riding bikes, however. Some were traveling by foot and others by means unknown. . . 

 

Attacks officer 

Police were summoned to the front of Mel’s Diner in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue at 6:22 p.m. Thursday in response to a call of a fellow threatening passers-by with a bottle. 

When officers arrived to try to talk him down, the fellow attacked one of them, earning him a trip straight to the city lockup on suspicion of committing battery on a peace officer, said Officer Okies. 

 

Juvenile arsonists 

Berkeley Police arrested a pair of juveniles on suspicion of arson for allegedly setting fire to a trash container in the playground at San Pablo Park early Friday afternoo n. 

A citizen had already extinguished the blaze before police and fire units arrived. 

 

Mop attack 

A 61-year-old woman was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon Friday afternoon after she allegedly beat a 50-year-old woman with a mop handle in the 1600 block of Milvia Street, said Officer Okies. 

 

Slasher sought 

Police are seeking a knife-wielding man in his 20s who slashed the right cheek of a 40-year man in the 1200 block of Fifth Street just after 11 a.m. Saturday. 

Officer Okies said th e suspect is being sought on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. 

 

Teen bandits sought 

Police are seeking two bandits, one about 19 years old and the other about 13, who robbed three people in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way about 9:45 p.m. Saturday. 

Officer Okies said the duo robbed three victims, including a 19-year-old, before joining a larger group that was loitering nearby. 

They were all gone by the time officers arrived, he said. 

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