String of Weekend Assaults on UC Berkeley Fraternity Row

By Jamey Padojino, Bay City News Service

Police are investigating three unrelated assaults along Greek Row at the University of California at Berkeley during the weekend, a police spokeswoman said.

A 25-year-old man was transported for serious injuries after he was assaulted and robbed by four men near Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way around 11 p.m. Friday, Officer Jennifer Coats said.

The victim was knocked to the ground and repeatedly hit and kicked, Coats said.

The suspects are described as three Hispanic men and one black man in their early 20s, she said. One of the Hispanic men is about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium build and long black hair in a ponytail. He was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, she said.

(Patch editor's note: See further information about this assault at the bottom of the article.)

In a separate incident a man was attacked by 10 men after refusing to let them into a party in the 2300 block of Piedmont Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Coats said.

Officers also responded to a possible fight in progress near Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way at 12:56 a.m. Sunday, Coats said.

The 22-year-old man was assaulted by eight to 10 black males but declined medical attention, she said.

Police are investigating all three incidents and do not suspect a trend or specific group of people being targeted, Coats said.

Officers advise people to travel with a friend or group of people, walk on well-lit sidewalks and stay alert of their surroundings.

(Editor's note: UC Berkeley police described the Friday night attack in a crime alert today, Tuesday, saying, "The victim was knocked to the ground and physically assaulted. The victim may have been kicked several times causing injury.  The suspects were last seen running northbound through campus.  The victim was not able to be questioned due to his injuries and was transported to a local trauma center.  UCPD and BPD searched the area and a UCPD Officer detained two individuals matching the description of the two suspects.  Witnesses to the robbery and assault were not able to positively identify the suspects.  One suspect was released and the other was arrested on an outstanding warrant.  The victim reported items missing from his wallet.")

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