Berkeley Robbery Suspect Arrested

BERKELEY, CA — A 59-year-old man with no address was arrested last week on suspicion of armed robbery, Berkeley police said.

At around 8:55 p.m. on Feb. 23 a woman was walking through a gas station on the southwest corner of MLK Jr. Way and University Avenue when the suspect blocked her path and grabbed her by the neck, police said.

The suspect then put the woman in chokehold and dragged her near some garbage bins behind the gas station according to police.

The woman dropped her purse and was able to break free of the suspect and run away for help, police said.

The suspect was chasing a bystander who retrieved the woman’s purse with a knife when he tripped over a center median on University Avenue, police said.

Officers arriving on the scene shortly afterwards found the suspect at the gas station and took him into custody, police said.

A search of the suspect revealed a folding knife with a 5-to 6-inch blade and a glass meth pipe.

The man was arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and kidnapping.