Craigslist Alert

Robbers Use Craigslist Ads

Berkeley, CA (August 8, 2012) - The Berkeley Police Department would like to inform the public of a series of armed robberies that have involved victims responding to Craigslist advertisements regarding the sale of vehicles.

Since June of 2012, the Berkeley Police Department has received four reports of victims being robbed via gun after responding to a Craigslist advertisement and is working with neighboring agencies on potentially similar crimes. The following robberies have occurred after the victim arrived at a designated meet location.

Date of Occurrence: June 28, 2012, at approximately 9:22 p.m.

3000 block of Wheeler St:

SUSPECTS:

• 1. Black male, approximately 5’8”, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and carrying gun.

  2. Black or Hispanic male, 6’0”, 210 lbs. and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

Date of Occurrence: July 3, 2012, at approximately 9:20 p.m.

2800 block of Piedmont Ave:

SUSPECTS:

• 1. Black male, 6’0”, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a black handgun gun.

  2. Black male, 5’8” and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Date of Occurrence: July 9, 2012, at approximately 10:45 p.m.

The block of 80 Hillcrest Rd:

SUSPECTS:

• 1. Black male, 5’10”, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a black or silver handgun gun.

  2. Hispanic male.

Date of Occurrence: July 31, 2012, at approximately 9:13 p.m.

Hillcrest Rd./Hillcrest Ct.

SUSPECTS:

• 1. White male, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and carrying silver handgun

  2. Black or Hispanic male, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a silver handgun

The Berkeley Police Department would like to remind and encourage community members to employ a few crime prevention measures that may help reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

• • Use extra caution when conducting business with unknown individuals or in unfamiliar locations.

  • Please keep all electronics and other valuables out of view and secured.

  • Do not carry large amounts of cash on your person.

  • Be alert to your surroundings and people around you.

  • Be aware of locations and situations, which make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys,

  • doorways, parking lots, stairwells and unfamiliar areas.

  • Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity.

If you are the victim of a robbery, immediately call the police. Be sure to provide the suspect description, direction of flight, any associated vehicles and vehicle license plate number.

BPD is urging anyone who has information about the Craigslist robberies to contact the BPD Investigations Division – Robbery Detail at (510) 981-5742 or

the 24-hour BPD Non Emergency number of (510) 981-5900.