News In Brief

Man Allegedly Spills Beer on Pizza Shop Patrons

A Berkeley man was arrested in a North Berkeley pizza place Thursday night in connection with public intoxication, after he shoved two employees, and spilled beer on the restaurant's customers, police said.

Two Zachary's Pizza employees attempted to escort 54-year-old Lee Robinson out of the Solano Avenue restaurant after Robinson refused to leave when asked, said Berkeley police Officer Kevin Schofield.

The employees told police Robinson had been disturbing the patrons inside the restaurant, repeatedly walking up to them, spilling his beer on them and repeating racial slurs.

But when the first employee attempted to escort Robinson out of the establishment, Robinson shoved him backward, then turned to another employee who had approached to help and shoved him as well, Schofield said.

When police arrived on the scene, Robinson showed clear signs of intoxication, Schofield said. As police led Robinson outside, he spilled his beer on several more customers.

Robinson was arrested in connection with public intoxication, as well as for several outstanding warrants. The employees that were shoved decided not to press battery charges.

Alicia Wittmeyer

Berkeley Resident Knocked Down, Robbed During Evening Walk

A man was robbed while walking on the Ohlone Greenway Sunday evening, the second robbery to take place on the pathway this month, police said.

The 36-year-old Berkeley resident was walking near the basketball courts on the Greenway on his way to the North Berkeley BART station at about 6:50 p.m. when he was approached by three young men who demanded his money, said Berkeley police Officer Kevin Schofield.

The victim turned over his money, and all three robbers fled on foot, Schofield said.

This is the latest in a string of robberies, some violent, that have occurred on the Ohlone Greenway, Schofield said.

During the last robbery on Oct. 13, a man was accosted on the pathway at about 8:30 p.m., Schofield said.

The victim was knocked to the ground, while another man searched his pants, he said.

Police are investigating to see if the string of robberies are connected, although they have confirmed that not all of the robberies are related.

Anybody with information related to these incidents should contact the Berkeley Police Department at 981-5900.

Alicia Wittmeyer

Tags: