Female Student Slapped, Robbed on Cal Campus

A female UC Berkeley student walking on campus shortly after 7 p.m. Monday was slapped across the side of her face by a robber who then took her cell phone, UC police reported today, Wednesday.

The student tried to chase the male suspect and fell, suffering a laceration to her knee, police said in a "Crime Alert."

The victim had been talking on her iPhone while walking south on a main path between Durant and Dwinelle Halls.

The campus has been plagued by a number of recent robberies. (See list of related articles below.) Campus police last week beefed up patrols and posted flyers around campus following four armed robberies on or near the campus during the previous week.

Here is the full UC Berkeley police alert with more details, including a description of the suspect and police safety tips:

UCPD crime report # 13-04085

Robbery
October 23, 2013

On Monday, October 21st, 2013, at 7:07 p.m. a robbery occurred on the pathway between Durant Hall and Dwinelle Hall.  The victim, a female student, was walking southbound on the pathway talking on her iPhone when she was approached by a male.  The male suspect walked up to the victim, slapped her right cheek/ear area and grabbed her phone.  The suspect fled running towards Moffit Library.  The victim tried to chase the suspect but tripped and fell.  UCPD searched the area but was unable to locate the suspect.  The victim suffered a laceration to her knee when she fell.

The suspect is described as:

A Black male, 6’02” in height, with a medium build, clean shaven, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.

As with any emergency situation, if you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.
From a cell phone, call (510) 642-3333.

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• FBI Crime Data Reflects Berkeley Crime Increase
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• UC Student Describes Being Robbed as Bystander Stood By
• Armed Robbery at North Gate of Cal Campus
• Purse-Grab Robbery of Woman on Telegraph Ave.
• 2 Females Pushed, Robbed at Gunpoint South of UC Campus
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• 5 Robbers Take Man's Cell Phone, Wallet at Gunpoint Near Cal Campus

For other police-related news on Berkeley Patch, see our "Police and Fire" section.