Berkeley Police Arrest Juveniles Suspected of Robbery Spree

Berkeley police have arrested two juveniles suspected of being involved in a string of local robberies and other crimes.

On Wednesday, April 3, the Berkeley Police Department received three separate reports of armed robberies occurring within 10 minutes in North Berkeley, according to a recent BPD news release. All the reported robberies had similar descriptions of the suspects and vehcle involved.

Officers subsequently located the suspect vehicle and detained two juveniles, both of whom were arrested for the robberies, the release stated.

In each robbery, a suspect armed with a handgun approached a pedestrian and demanded a cellular phone or purse. The suspect then ran to a waiting car driven by a second suspect and fled the area, according to police.

Shortly after the third robbery, officers located the suspect vehicle in the 1600 block of Ninth Street, where they detained the two occupants while further investigating the incidents, police said.

Through the ensuing investigation, officers developed probable cause to arrest the suspects for the three robberies, the release said.

Officers learned the suspects may have been involved in other robberies in neighboring jurisdictions, and robbery investigators are sharing this information with the other agencies.

The juveniles, whose names are not being released, were arrested on suspicion of three counts of robbery, brandishing a firearm, committing a felony while armed with a firearm, possession of stolen property, probation violation and conspiracy.

Suggested by BPD:

The community is encouraged to immediately report crimes in progress
or that have just occurred by calling 9-1-1, or 510-981-5911 from a cell
phone.

An immediate report gives responding officers the best chance of locating fleeing suspects and recovering stolen property.

BPD is also reminding community members to employ basic crime prevention measures while walking at night, such as remaining alert to your surroundings and avoiding distractions such as talking on cell phones or listening to mp3 players.