UCPD is currently investigating a series of attempted robberies reportedly involving six male juveniles near the University Village playground in Albany, according to a UCPD crime alert released Thursday.
In one of the incidents, the six suspects harassed and searched two juvenile males, likely in an effort to rob them of money and a bicycle. In another incident, one suspect held what was believed to be a toy weapon and demanded money and a mobile phone from an adult female victim and her toddler.
When that suspect reached for the toddler — in an apparent effort to continue searching for money — the woman fled with her child. The suspects then left the area on bicycles and a skateboard, going northbound on San Pablo Avenue.
According to the alert, no money or property was lost during the incident and the victims were all unharmed. UCPD later searched the area, but officers were not able to apprehend any of the six suspects.
Berkeley has recently experienced several notable incidents of crime, particularly in the area around the Berkeley campus. Earlier this month, Berkeley police issued a crime alert urging residents on the south side of campus to exercise caution following a string of five pedestrian robberies that occurred there in a span of less than two hours the night of Aug. 1.
Anyone with information about the crimes at University Village is encouraged to contact UCPD’s Criminal Investigation Bureau at 510-642-0472 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and at 510-642-6760 during all other times.
Check back for updates.
