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Berkeley police: Home-invasion robbery suspects in custody

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 23h

A man and his girlfriend are in custody this week following a "series of violent home invasion robberies and residential burglaries" in Berkeley, authorities report. Some of the victims were students.

Police said the crimes were "part of an escalating pattern that detectives quickly recognized and linked together."

'One-stop shop' for homeless health care opens in Berkeley

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 1d

Berkeley celebrated the opening this week of a new clinic for unhoused individuals seeking primary care as well as therapy, addiction help and other critical services.

The new Berkeley Trust Health Center, from LifeLong Medical Care, has been years in the making, officials said this week.

Berkeley PD: DUI hit-and-run of cyclist sees driver arrested

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 2d

An Oakland woman who ran into a cyclist in Berkeley and then left the scene was arrested this week on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, authorities report. According to court records, she already had an open DUI case.

According to court records, driver Launette Sanchez already had on open DUI case from 2024.

Pedestrian rushed to Highland after Claremont, Ashby crash

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 2d

A pedestrian was taken to Highland Hospital on Wednesday evening after a driver struck him at a busy intersection in Berkeley, authorities report.

The pedestrian, who was 20-30 years old, police said, remained conscious after the collision. The roadway is open.

BPD: Retail theft suspects busted after return to Lululemon

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 3d

A Flock license plate alert helped Berkeley police catch wanted retail theft suspects after they hit the local Lululemon for the second time in days, authorities report.

Police found stolen merchandise from a retail theft in their car, police said. Flock cameras aided in the arrest.

OPD arrests 2 people linked to Berkeley gun battle Saturday

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 3d

Police in Oakland arrested two people Monday in connection with a Berkeley gunfight over the weekend, authorities report. Oakland police seized "multiple firearms and ammunition" after arresting the pair with the help of the OPD helicopter, police said.

Officers seized "multiple firearms and ammunition" after arresting the pair with the help of the OPD helicopter, Oakland police said.

Berkeley encampment fire puts the focus on Codornices Creek

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 4d

A recent encampment fire alongside Codornices Creek has put new urgency on chronic problems in the neighborhood. The fire tore through the encampment, which spanned about 1,500 feet on the fragile bank of Codornices, "one of the few East Bay creeks to support a steelhead population."

Community members are concerned about impacts on businesses and protected steelhead trout. They say Berkeley must do more.

Update: Berkeley police investigate gun battle on Ashby

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 6d

UPDATE: Police detained four people on the Berkeley-Emeryville border Saturday evening after what's been described as a gun battle on Ashby Avenue.

Multiple callers told police the occupants of two vehicles had exchanged gunfire on Ashby Avenue, BPD said after publication.

Mentally ill, homeless, arrested in Berkeley? New program to offer treatment over jail

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 8d

Berkeley is launching an ambitious "post-arrest diversion pathway" to serve unhoused individuals with mental health or substance use needs — thanks to a new $8 million grant from the state.

CareBridge "is a post-arrest diversion and reentry initiative for individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health needs."

Human trafficker charged with new Berkeley sex crime case

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 8d

A convicted human trafficker from Oakland is back in custody this week in connection with new Berkeley sex crime allegations.

Police said a Flock alert on Arman Stewart's license plate helped authorities find and arrest him this week.

Berkeley officials offer stern rebuke to police oversight chief

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 9d

Hansel Aguilar, who runs Berkeley's civilian police oversight program as the director of police accountability, came before the Berkeley City Council on Tuesday night with two requests. Both failed.

"It just feels like … you're in constant opposition with what we're recommending to you," Mayor Adena Ishii told Hansel Aguilar.

City officials might actually let Berkeley police get drones

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 10d

After years of resistance, Berkeley is looking at joining neighboring law enforcement agencies in letting its police department have drones.

A Berkeley City Council vote on drones could come by the end of the year.

UC Berkeley hate crime report: BB gun shooting, racial slurs

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 11d

UC Berkeley police are investigating a recent hate crime on Telegraph Avenue, right next to the Cal campus, involving reports of a BB gun shooting and racial slurs.

Limited information was available as of publication time.

The Berkeley Scanner turns 3: Help us celebrate today

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 12d

Three years ago, we never could have imagined what we would build together at The Berkeley Scanner. We've published more than 1,200 stories and now have nearly 1,400 members. Today on our birthday, help us celebrate: Show your support for our unmatched coverage.

We've published more than 1,200 stories and now have nearly 1,400 members. Show your support today for our unmatched coverage.

Berkeley PD: Pot deal robbery led to gunfire outside Malcolm X

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 12d

EXCLUSIVE: A Stockton man who came to Berkeley to sell marijuana has been charged with opening fire outside Malcolm X Elementary during school pickup hours, authorities say.

During the deal, police said, the driver hit the gas, leaving alleged shooter Saul Camacho Ballesteros "hanging out the driver's side window."

North Berkeley: 3 crashes on Rose Street in just 4 days

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 12d

A trio of traffic collisions on a short stretch of Rose Street in North Berkeley led to injuries for pedestrians and a cyclist last week, including an older man and a middle schooler on a scooter.

One longtime resident called it "worrisome news for walkers and bikers."

Oakland teens with gun arrested near UC Berkeley stadium

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 16d

Two young men from Oakland have been charged with having a gun on UC Berkeley property after parking near Memorial Stadium with an open container, according to court papers.

When officers inspected the gun, they determined it had been stolen in an auto burglary in Boise, Idaho, UCPD wrote.

Crime log: Crash leads cops to drug stash; battery on Solano

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 17d

Berkeley crime blotter: Hit-and-run crash leads cops to drug stash; random attack on Solano Avenue; police make arrest after robbery near Cal; road rage via gun.

Today's Berkeley crime blotter also includes details on a recent robbery near Cal and a road rage case involving a gun.

Berkeley High bathroom gun case: Charges filed

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 17d

Authorities are looking for a teenager who failed to show up in court this month on a felony gun case from Berkeley High School, court papers show.

A student in the bathroom "heard mentions of a gun" and the sound of a firearm being racked, leading to the seizure of a gun on campus.

Berkeley had 3 earthquakes in just 16 hours

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 18d

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake hit Berkeley on Monday evening, the third to shake the city in just 16 hours.

The seismic activity began just before 3 a.m. when a magnitude 4.3 earthquake near UC Berkeley woke much of the Bay Area.

Zachary's Corner, site of driver attack, already on list for a fix

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 19d

The intersection where a driver ran down a man on a bike last week is already set for improvements as one of Berkeley's "high-injury" corridors. Zachary's Corner has a history of serious collisions, including the crash that killed 5-year-old Zachary Cruz in 2009.

Zachary's Corner has a history of serious traffic collisions, including the crash that killed 5-year-old Zachary Cruz in 2009.

Update: Magnitude 4.3 earthquake jolts UC Berkeley

The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 19d

UPDATE: A magnitude 4.3 earthquake rattled Berkeley early Monday morning, at least the second quake in the Southside neighborhood in recent weeks.

There have been just seven other quakes in or near Berkeley since Jan. 1, 2023, according to USGS data.

Magnitude 4.6 earthquake jolts UC Berkeley

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The Berkeley Scanner @berkeleyscanner.com · 19d

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake rattled Berkeley early Monday morning, at least the second quake in the Southside neighborhood in recent weeks.

There have been just a handful of other quakes in or near Berkeley since Jan. 1, 2023, according to USGS data.