A 55-year-old Berkeley man was arrested on Wednesday concerning a string of burglaries hitting local businesses. The recent arrest followed an incident that occurred on Sunday at the Three One Four Pizzeria, where surveillance footage caught a suspect, now identified as the Berkeley man, stealing a safe and various bottles of alcohol. According to the Berkeley Police Department, the suspect also forcibly opened another safe and vandalized the premises.
After the burglary was captured on security cameras, officers utilized FLOCK technology, which led them to the suspect's vehicle the next day. Building on this lead, the officers could piece together additional information, ultimately facilitating the identification of the 55-year-old suspect. Originally, concerning the theft of numerous tools and two vehicles from Auto Options and Oak Barrel Winecraft, the man was already on law enforcement’s radar for burglaries that transpired in June 2024.
The suspect was apprehended in the parking lot outside his residence in Berkeley. Upon the execution of a search warrant, a pry bar and other items reported stolen from the burglarized properties were found inside his home. As detailed by authorities, the evidence collected connects the suspect not only to the recent theft at the pizzeria but also to the burglaries of the prior year.
Charges were filed on Thursday by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, including multiple counts of burglary and auto theft. The suspect, the stolen property found only within his residence, is awaiting further legal proceedings.
