A search for a silver Hyundai connected to incidents at two Berkeley Andronico's stores ended in West Oakland, where police say they arrested a 34-year-old Oakland man. The man is accused of robbery and attempted robbery, including an incident in which a suspect allegedly used a stun gun or Taser and another in which a loss-prevention worker was punched during the theft of roughly $400 worth of ice cream.
According to The Berkeley Scanner, the trouble began around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when two men entered the Andronico's on Solano Avenue. Loss-prevention staff recognized the pair, and one of them activated a stun gun or Taser and made threats before the two fled in a silver Hyundai, per the outlet's report.
About 40 minutes later, the same two men allegedly turned up at Andronico's on Shattuck Avenue, where they made off with roughly $400 worth of ice cream, the report states. During that encounter, one of the suspects again activated the electronic device and punched a loss-prevention worker, according to Berkeley police as relayed by the same account.
Flock Cameras Lead Police Across the Bay
Berkeley police used the department's Flock camera database to identify and track the silver Hyundai, eventually locating it in West Oakland. A Berkeley police officer also checked several liquor stores in the area for stolen merchandise, according to The Berkeley Scanner.
When one of the suspects saw police, he ran, prompting a foot chase through several West Oakland blocks, according to the Berkeley Police Department. Officers found him in a backyard in the 700 block of 25th Street, hiding beneath plexiglass behind a shed, the outlet reported.
Arrest, Recovered Ice Cream, and an Outstanding Warrant
Police arrested the 34-year-old Oakland man on suspicion of robbery and attempted robbery in connection with Wednesday's incidents and a Berkeley robbery the previous week. He also had an outstanding Contra Costa County warrant. Police recovered the stolen ice cream, according to the report.
Investigators are examining whether the man may be connected to other cases, according to the account. The suspect's name was not immediately available because he had not yet been booked, the outlet reported.
The Flock camera system's role in the search comes amid separate scrutiny of surveillance practices in Berkeley. A Berkeley Police Accountability Board agenda packet discusses Flock as the department's primary surveillance tool and includes recommendations concerning oversight of automated license plate reader data, according to the City of Berkeley.
California rules on ALPR data
California Department of Justice guidance says state law requires public agencies to provide an opportunity for public comment at a regularly scheduled meeting before implementing an automated license plate reader program. The guidance also says agencies generally may not sell, share or transfer ALPR information except to another public agency, and only as otherwise permitted by law, according to the California Department of Justice. The guidance cited here addresses public comment and sharing but does not establish a retention timeframe.
