First apprehension occurred near here
BERKELEY – Two teenage girls were arrested following a pair of robberies and getaway car crash occurring in quick succession last Wednesday, but three male suspects last seen with the girls have eluded the police—at least temporarily.
A strong-armed robbery at the North Berkeley BART train station was reported to police at 10:55 p.m. on December 28, followed minutes later by a report of second robbery on the 1500 block of Virginia Street.
The first robbery victim told police that the suspects fled in a silver sedan, which a Berkeley officer soon spotted traveling southbound on Sacramento Street, before it ran red light at the intersection of University Avenue.
Ignoring the officer’s blaring sirens and flashing lights, the driver turned westbound on to Allston Way, where the car hit another vehicle and finally stopped near the entrance of Strawberry Creek Park, according to the police.
Five suspects ran away from the scene of the minor collusion, but one girl was apprehended near the intersection of Allston Way and Bonar Street. Police arrested a second girl near the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Allston Way. Three male suspects being sought by police remain at large.
The girls from Oakland, ages 15 and 16, were transported to Alameda County Juvenile Hall, booked on robbery charges.
Victims of both robberies positively identified the car used by the suspects and their stolen property was recovered from the vehicle.
Berkeley police later learned that the same car had been reported stolen in Oakland, where another robbery had occurred and stolen property from that robbery was also subsequently recovered from the vehicle.
No injuries were reported.
