Features

Police Seek Serial Predator 

Berkeley Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the armed rapist who has struck twice in North Berkeley in the last two weeks. 

The first attack was reported on Monday, Feb. 7, when a woman was grabbed as she was about to enter her home in the 1900 block of Francisco Street. Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies described what followed as “a battery with sexual overtones.” 

The second attack happened just before 7 a.m. last Friday when a man matching the description of the first suspect confronted and raped a woman as she was walking along Delaware Street near the corner of San Pablo Avenue. 

The assailant is described as an 6’1” African American adult between the ages of 20 and 30 weighing approximately 175 pounds. He wore a black ski mask, a black, puffy nylon hooded jacket and dark pants. 

Okies said police have stepped up patrols in the area, and the department will hold a community meeting on the crime Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. in the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St. 

Bus Fracas Suspect Cleared 

A spokesperson for the Alameda County District Attorney’s office announced Thursday that the agency has declined to press charges against an Oakland man arrested during a Jan. 16 disturbance in Berkeley. 

Police arrested Reuven Kahane following a fracas with a 14-year-old Palestinian youth at the exhibit of a bombed-out Israeli bus on display at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. 

The dustup apparently began when the youth charged Kahane, who was wearing a traditional Jewish kepoh, not realizing that the Oakland man was a supporter of Palestinian/Israeli reconciliation. 

Drugs Bust 

Acting on a search warrant, Berkeley Police searched a residence near the corner of Haste and Dana streets shortly after 4 a.m. Monday. 

They left with 22 grams of cocaine, one tablet of ecstasy, 16 grams of marijuana, packaging materials and three felony suspects, ages 36, 26 and 21.  

Subway Gunman 

A 20-something gunman wearing a Navy peacoat and a black knit cap walked into the 1105 University Ave. Subway outlet Tuesday night about 8:15 and demanded the contents of the till. 

His financial appetite temporarily sated, he then fled. 

Wallet, Keys Taken 

Two bandits confronted a pedestrian near the corner of Russell and Cherry streets at 8:28 p.m. Tuesday and persuaded him to hand over his wallet and keys. 

South Berkeley Gunshots 

As Berkeley officers were rolling in response to a “man with a gun” call in the 1500 block of Tyler Street, the dispatcher broke through with the announcement of “shots fired.” 

Officer Okies said that just what happened isn’t entirely clear, but witnesses reported that a pedestrian fired at a rapidly departing car, and at least one bullet struck a house in the neighborhood. 

There were no reports of injuries. 

First Responders Charity Game 

The folks who drive the black-and-whites will shoot hoops with the folks who drive the big red trucks tonight, with the proceeds from ticket and food sales to go to public safety scholarships and Berkeley youth programs, said officer Okies. 

The event gets underway a 7:30 p.m. in the Berkeley High School Donahue Gym, 2246 Milvia St. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students with a Berkeley High ID. 

Billed as “Berkeley’s Finest versus Berkeley’s Bravest,” the battle of the hoops pits Berkeley Police versus Berkeley firefighters. “Last year’s game was a great success,” said Officer Steve Rego, an event organizer and a member of last year’s police team. 

“All the participants had a good time,” he said, “and raised money for a good cause.” 

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