NEW: UC Berkeley police catch pair of suspected armed robbers

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 11, 2007

UC Berkeley police caught two armed robbery suspects Monday night after a foot chase and an extensive campus search.

The two suspects, both juveniles, held up a student near Haviland Hall on the north side of campus about 9:30 p.m. and took his briefcase containing a laptop computer, UC Berkeley Police Sgt. Thomas Wing said.

A witness called police on a cell phone and minutes later an officer spotted the pair and began a chase. Officers caught the first suspect near Cory Hall on Hearst Avenue, a block from the scene of the holdup.

The second suspect was caught near the East Gate entrance to the campus on Gayley Road after a lengthy search by UC and Berkeley police, Sgt. Wing said. During the search students were advised by police to stay in their buildings.

The weapon used turned out to be a BB pistol, he said.

Armed robberies are rare on the Berkeley campus, police said. The university offers an evening escort service to students, staff and faculty members leaving classes, labs or libraries. The number to call is 6420-WALK.