Police are seeking three young women in connection with an armed robbery shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday at Fulton and Derby streets.
A 19-year old-woman was walking southbound on Fulton Street near Derby Street when three women approached her – one with a can of pepper spray, one brandishing a gun.
After taking the victim’s backpack containing a laptop and wallet, the three suspects fled to a waiting car, which headed Northbound on Fulton Street. The car was dark colored, but the victim could not identify the make or model. Officers combed the area but could not locate either the suspects or the car.
One of the assailants was described as a Latina in her early 20s, overweight, with her hair pulled back and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a Latina in her early 20s, about 5 feet, 7 inches, with a thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt; and a young woman of unknown race, shorter than the other two women.
Those with information are asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.
Police say they have seen an uptick in pedestrian robberies with the intent to steal iPhones, Smart Phones and laptops. They advise against talking on cell phones or listening to iPods when walking alone. The BPD website offers safety tips and a list of theft recovery programs that have helped victims retrieve electronic devices.
