Features

Police Blotter

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday July 04, 2006

Shoplift to robbery 

What began as the simple shoplifting of a bottle of hooch from the Safeway store at Shattuck Avenue and Rose Street turned into an armed robbery on the afternoon of June 20 when a store clerk confronted the booster in the store’s doorway. 

At that moment the shoplifter, a fellow with long, braided hair, revealed the butt of the gun stuck into his waistband, transforming a misdemeanor into a felony. “Go ahead,” said the clerk. 

The bandit rendezvoused with another fellow outside and the pair departed, according to Berkeley police spokesperson Officer Ed Galvan. 

 

Coldstone creamed 

A masked gunman burst into Coldstone Creamery in the 2200 block of Shattuck Avenue about 10:20 p.m. on June 20, flashed a shiny silver pistol and demanded the contents of the cash register and the safe. 

Store clerks complied, and the bandit fled with hard, cold cash. 

 

Brick banditry 

Three teens, one wielding a brick, robbed a 40-year-old Berkeley woman of her wallet when they confronted her on Allston Way near the corner of  

Roosevelt Street shortly after midnight on June 22.  

 

Rape alleged 

The Alameda County District Attorney’s office is examining allegations filed by a Berkeley woman who told police investigators that she was sexually assaulted by a long-time acquaintance on June 23. The woman said the latest incident was the latest in a series of similar assaults. 

 

Rat pack attack 

A gang of five young males on bicycles assaulted a 28-year-old Berkeley man and stole his wallet and keys near the corner of Adeline and Essex streets just after 2 a.m. June 25, reports Officer Galvan. 

 

Moustachioed gunman 

A gunman packing a pistol robbed a 24-year-old woman of her wallet, cell phone and car keys in the 2100 block of Grant Street at 1 a.m. June 26. 

 

Tully’s robbed 

A diminutive woman armed with a pistol walked into Tully’s coffee shop in the 2100 block of Shattuck Avenue on June 26, collected three blue bags of currency and receipts and departed. 

 

Wrestles robber 

Confronted with a a bandit in the 1300 block of Delaware Street who demanded her wallet and cell phone, a 30-year-old Berkeley woman wrestled with the bandit in an attempt to save her belongings during the 2:30 a.m. heist June 27. 

The bewildered bandit cried out for help and was saved from his victim by an accomplice. The pair departed with the woman’s valuables, including a small amount of cash, said Officer  

Galvan