Female UC Student Attacked, Robbed – Suffers Minor Injuries

A female UC Berkeley student was assaulted and injured in a robbery in the south-of-campus area Tuesday night, according to UC Berkeley police.

The 21-year-old student was walking in the 2500 of Benvenue Avenue, the block directly south of the high-rise Unit 2 dorms, about 8:30 p.m., when two teen suspects – a male and a female – approached the victim, pushed her up against a building and demanded her property, police said in a crime alert today, Thursday.

The victim screamed, and the robbers "started physically assaulting her," police said. The forcibly took her wallet and cell phone and fled, leaving the woman with minor injuries, police said.

Below is the police crime alert, which includes suspect descriptions:

Strong Arm Robbery

On Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 at approximately 8:30 p.m. the Berkeley Police Department responded to a report of a strong arm robbery in the 2500 block of Benvenue Avenue.  The victim, a 21 year old female student, was walking in the area when she noticed a vehicle parked and idling.  As she continued to walk she heard someone running up behind her.  She turned and saw two suspects approaching her.  The suspects pushed the victim up against a building and demanded her property.  The victim began to scream and the suspects started physically assaulting her.  The suspects forcibly took the victim’s property which included a cell phone and a wallet.  A witness phoned 911 as the suspects fled the scene in the nearby vehicle.  BPD officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects or the vehicle.  The victim sustained minor injuries during the encounter.

The suspects were described as:

Suspect #1 – A Black male, approximately 14 years of age, 5’4”, with a thin build, shaved head, wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Suspect #2 – A Black female, slightly older and taller than Suspect #1, wearing a ponytail, a black leather jacket and black jeans.

Suspect Vehicle – A beige 2000 Jeep, possibly a Cherokee.

UCPD would like to remind the campus community about the following safety tips:

• Utilize the free Night Safety Services located at http://nightsafety.berkeley.edu 
• Travel with a friend or in a group
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings
• Avoid dark, vacant or deserted areas
• Use well-lit, well-traveled routes
• Dress in clothes and shoes which will not hamper movement
• When out and about, keep your electronic devices out of public view as they are a popular robbery target
• Dial 510-642-3333 or use a Blue Light emergency phone if you need help.
• Please do not delay in calling 911.  UCPD strongly encourages the reporting of criminal or suspicious activity in a timely manner to assist us in intervening in potential criminal actively and apprehending suspects.

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