Berkeley police arrest suspect in connection with attempted kidnappings


This article was originally published on Saturday, September 24, 2022, in The Daily Californian. You can read an archived version at the Internet Archive.

Update 10/6/22: This story has been updated to include information about the suspect’s arrest by Berkeley police.

The Berkeley Police Department arrested a Berkeley woman Wednesday in connection with a series of attempted kidnappings, according to a Nixle alert issued Thursday.

The suspect was driving in the area of the North Berkeley BART Station on Wednesday morning when detectives arrested her, the alert added. Police obtained a warrant for her arrest Sept. 30 on suspicion of attempted kidnapping and three counts of annoying or molesting a child.

Two additional victims came forward since the last alert, including a 14-year-old boy who was approached by the suspect Aug. 29 and a 15-year-old boy who was approached Sept. 14.

“We are grateful for all of the tips from the community and thankful for the community’s continued support,” the alert reads.

The suspect attempted to kidnap a 12-year-old boy Sept. 20 near the intersection of Sacramento Avenue and Addison Street, the Sept. 23 alert noted. According to that alert, the boy was riding his scooter on the sidewalk when the suspect stopped her car in front of him and attempted to lure him into the vehicle. The attempt was thwarted when the boy ran away from the alleged perpetrator, the alert added.

BPD believed this incident was related to another attempted kidnapping from Aug. 29, reported near Allston Way and McKinley Avenue. In that incident, the suspect in a white car pulled up to a 13-year-old girl and attempted to convince her to get inside, according to the Sept. 23 alert. The girl refused and walked away from the situation, the alert noted.

Check back for updates.

Last updated Monday, October 10, 2022. Written by Gabe Classon and Riley Cooke.

Tags: Addison Street, Allston Way, Berkeley Police Department, McKinley Avenue, Nixle, North Berkeley BART station, Sacramento Avenue