6 Berkeley restaurants burglarized by same crew, police say

Six burglaries at Berkeley eateries linked to same crew

Berkeley police say the same group broke into three restaurants near UC Berkeley and three others downtown before dawn.

BERKELEY, Calif. - Six Berkeley restaurants were targeted in a burglary spree early Thursday morning, crimes linked to the same crew, police said.

Officer Jessica Perry said the break-ins were first reported along Durant Avenue near Telegraph Avenue at 4 a.m. Three restaurants, I.B.'s Hoagies, King Pin Donuts and Gypsy's Trattoria Italiana had smashed front windows, and it looked like burglars had broken inside and stolen items.

An hour later, police found another three businesses on University Avenue had suffered similar circumstances, including Cafe Rio, IMM Thai and Bobby G's Pizzeria, which are alongside each other, Perry said. 

Video at the various scenes showed gaping holes in windows and shattered glass on the sidewalk and floors. Police did not indicate that anyone had been injured in any of the incidents. 

"We sympathize with them," Sgt. Joseph Ledoux said. "They are not large chains with deep resources." 
 A seventh business had its door kicked in on the 1000 block of Carleton Street and had been burglarized, but Perry said it does not appear to be related to the other six, at this point. 

Perry said the Berkeley Police Department is actively investigating all these cases, and at this time, there is no confirmed information about what was taken or the total estimated value of damages.

Anyone with information or video surveillance is asked to call the Property Crimes Unit at (510) 981-5900.