North Berkeley Carjacking, Police Chase, Another Car Damaged

Two men stole a vehicle from a female at gunpoint on Portland Avenue in North Berkeley on Nov. 8 and escaped after a police chase that included another car getting hit by the carjacked vehicle, according to Berkeley police.

About 7:52 p.m., Berkeley police responded to a carjacking report in the 1600 block of Portland, said Berkeley Police Officer Jennifer Coats.

The victim had exited her vehicle – a 2012 silver Audi A4 – and was confronted by two suspects, one of whom had a gun, Coats said.

The suspects demanded her keys, and the victim, fearing for her safety, threw the keys on the ground, Coats said. The suspects picked up the keys and fled.

Berkeley police officers located the vehicle a short while later and attempted to stop it, and the suspects "fled at a high rate of speed and without regard to public safety," Coats said. 

The fleeing Audi "struck a vehicle near the intersection of Virginia Street and San Pablo Avenue, causing minor damage to the other vehicle," Coats said.

The suspects continued fleeing and officers lost sight of the vehicle, she said. It was later found unoccupied in Oakland.

No suspects are in custody, she said.

Coats The suspects are described as:

“Black Male, 20-30 years old, 5’11”, 140 pounds, short dark hair wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.”

“Black Male, 25-35 years old, 140 pounds, short dark hair wearing a red knit hat and a gray hooded sweatshirt over a white T-shirt.”

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