Crime & Safety

Fleeing Robbery Suspect Caught in Flame-Adorned SUV

A 19-year-old man who committed an armed robbery in People's Park was captured by UC Berkleey police while fleeing in a white Dodge Durango with flames on the side, police said Monday.

A armed man who robbed a couple in People's Park in Berkeley was captured shortly afterward in a getaway car that had flames on the sides, UC Berkeley police said Monday.

About 5:11 p.m. on Thursday, a man carrying a gun in his waistband and wearing a red hat, black shirt and jeans took belongings from a couple seated on a bench in People's Park, police said. He then escaped in a waiting white Dodge Durango with three females inside and with yellow flames on the side, according to police.

A UC Berkeley police officer patrolling near Martin Luther King Jr. Way saw the suspect vehicle and stopped it. The robbery victims and witnesses identified the suspect, and the stolen property was recovered, police said.

The suspect was identified by police as Andres Rodriguez, 19.

Here is the text of a UC Berkeley police news alert about the incident:

On Thursday, June 13, 2013, at approximately 5:11 p.m., an armed robbery occurred in People’s Park.  The victims, a non-affiliated male and female, were in the Park with friends.  They were sitting near a bench when they were approached by an unknown male who displayed a handgun in his waistband.  The victims, fearing for their safety, did not confront the suspect who, without warning, began taking their personal belongings.  The suspect walked to a waiting white Dodge Durango with yellow flames on the side which was occupied by three females.   A UCPD officer, patrolling near Martin Luther King Jr. Way, observed a white Durango matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle and initiated a stop.  The suspect was positively identified by the victims and witnesses and was arrested. The stolen items were recovered.  The victims were not physically injured during the encounter.

The suspect is described as:

RODRIGUEZ, Andres, a 19 year old male Hispanic, 5’09” in height, 160 lbs.,
with black hair, wearing a red hat, black shirt and Jeans.

If you have any information about this crime, please contact:

University of California Police Department
Criminal Investigation Bureau
(510) 642-0472 / 8AM–5PM
(510) 642-6760 / All other times

-----------------------

Don't miss any news from Berkeley Patch. Get the day's headlines and events – plus any breaking news alerts – by subscribing to the Berkeley Patch email newsletter. Click the News tab on our homepage and then “Get the daily newsletter” at the top.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.