The Berkeley Scanner
@berkeleyscanner.com
Authoritative daily crime and safety news for Berkeley, California. Founder: Emilie Raguso, 2017 SPJ NorCal journalist of the year.
For the second year running, Berkeley crime was down — a lot. Here's our 2025 recap along with the year's biggest public safety stories.
What happened in Berkeley crime and safety in 2025?
For the second year running, Berkeley crime was down — a lot. Here's our 2025 recap along with the biggest stories.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
For the second year running, Berkeley crime was down — a lot. Here's our 2025 recap along with the year's biggest public safety stories.
Berkeley REI is back in business just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. "A structural engineer has completed an evaluation and confirmed the building is safe," REI told us.
Berkeley REI has reopened, building is safe, company says
"A structural engineer has completed an evaluation and confirmed the building is safe," REI Co-op said in a prepared statement.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Berkeley REI is back in business just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. "A structural engineer has completed an evaluation and confirmed the building is safe," REI told us.
UPDATE: REI Co-op has just confirmed that the recent closure of its Berkeley store was to allow structural assessments related to the roof. We've added the company's statement to our story. No word yet on re-opening.
UPDATE: Berkeley REI closed due to roof issue; structural assessments needed
Customers say they struggled to pick up orders, some of which were dispensed from the side door on Camelia Street on Monday.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
UPDATE: REI Co-op has just confirmed that the recent closure of its Berkeley store was to allow structural assessments related to the roof. We've added the company's statement to our story. No word yet on re-opening.
A Berkeley woman who called 911 during an armed conflict in the street Monday became a target of crime herself, authorities said.
Berkeley woman threatened at knifepoint while calling 911
Police closed Ninth and Delaware streets during the investigation.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
A Berkeley woman who called 911 during an armed conflict in the street Monday became a target of crime herself, authorities said.
Authorities in Berkeley asked community members to avoid Gilman Street at Second Street on Tuesday due to a building that caught fire shortly before 4 a.m. There was also a fire in the area two months ago.
Abandoned building catches fire in northwest Berkeley
Arriving crews found fire close to the railroad tracks and forced open a gate for access, according to emergency dispatches.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Authorities in Berkeley asked community members to avoid Gilman Street at Second Street on Tuesday due to a building that caught fire shortly before 4 a.m. There was also a fire in the area two months ago.
Berkeley's REI store has been closed since Saturday due to undisclosed "safety reasons" related to a "facilities concern," local residents report. Here's what we know so far.
Berkeley REI closed 'until further notice' due to 'safety reasons'
Local customers say they have struggled to pick up orders, some of which were dispensed from the side door on Camelia Street earlier in the day.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Berkeley's REI store has been closed since Saturday due to undisclosed "safety reasons" related to a "facilities concern," local residents report. Here's what we know so far.
Berkeley firefighters quickly put out a large fire behind an apartment building Saturday night, according to early reports.
Fire behind Berkeley apartment building under investigation
Firefighters found flames coming from a shed behind the property.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Berkeley firefighters quickly put out a large fire behind an apartment building Saturday night, according to early reports.
Could not be MORE EXCITED to announce that we're launching a local news site in Albany, California. And we'll need your help! This will be a true community effort. Here's what you need to know.
The scoop on Albany's new local news site
We’re excited to update you on our plan to launch a news site for Albany in 2026.
This year, we’ve been hard at work thinking through everything that needs to happen to make the site a reality. And w...
www.albanyscanner.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Could not be MORE EXCITED to announce that we're launching a local news site in Albany, California. And we'll need your help! This will be a true community effort. Here's what you need to know.
A man went to the hospital Thursday after a hit-and-run collision at a busy South Berkeley intersection, authorities report. The incident began just after 6 p.m. when an unhoused person pushing a shopping cart in the street hit a passing car, police said.
Hit-and-run crash in stolen car sends man to hospital
An odd sequence of events resulted in a number of strange reports from witnesses, police said.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:43 AM
A man went to the hospital Thursday after a hit-and-run collision at a busy South Berkeley intersection, authorities report. The incident began just after 6 p.m. when an unhoused person pushing a shopping cart in the street hit a passing car, police said.
A UC Berkeley student has been charged in connection with reports of antisemitic graffiti at a Cal housing complex and in Albany nearby.
UC Berkeley student charged after antisemitic graffiti reports
Sean Ceballos, 35, was charged Tuesday with one count of felony vandalism, authorities said today.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A UC Berkeley student has been charged in connection with reports of antisemitic graffiti at a Cal housing complex and in Albany nearby.
SCOOP: A former UC Berkeley student accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend after she broke up with him is now facing child pornography possession charges, court papers show.
UC Berkeley stalking case leads to child porn charges
Daniel Eric Mangum, 25, is now facing charges in two separate cases: felony stalking as well as possession of child sexual abuse material.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:16 AM
SCOOP: A former UC Berkeley student accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend after she broke up with him is now facing child pornography possession charges, court papers show.
Authorities are investigating a gas leak Wednesday morning at UC Berkeley that has closed multiple streets downtown.
UC Berkeley gas leak closes several downtown streets
Campus officials have asked people to avoid the area.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Authorities are investigating a gas leak Wednesday morning at UC Berkeley that has closed multiple streets downtown.
A young woman who was paralyzed after a catastrophic fall at a UC Berkeley fraternity during a "grossly overcrowded" party on Cal Day in April has filed a lawsuit seeking damages, court papers show.
UC Berkeley student files lawsuit after frat party fall
Bandna Bhatti, then 21, was just weeks from graduating when she fell 14 feet from a backyard stairway landing onto the concrete below.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:49 PM
A young woman who was paralyzed after a catastrophic fall at a UC Berkeley fraternity during a "grossly overcrowded" party on Cal Day in April has filed a lawsuit seeking damages, court papers show.
UPDATE: The man who died in Saturday's solo scooter crash in Berkeley was identified as Jorge Eduardo Velazquez Sosa, 34, of Oakland.
Man dead after solo scooter crash in Berkeley
The police investigation is underway.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
UPDATE: The man who died in Saturday's solo scooter crash in Berkeley was identified as Jorge Eduardo Velazquez Sosa, 34, of Oakland.
A man was pronounced dead Saturday night in Berkeley after what appears to have been a solo scooter crash, authorities report.
Man dead after solo scooter crash in Berkeley
The police investigation is underway.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:22 AM
A man was pronounced dead Saturday night in Berkeley after what appears to have been a solo scooter crash, authorities report.
An Alameda County Superior Court judge dismissed the manslaughter case against former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher on Friday afternoon. Fletcher fatally shot Steven Taylor during a call for service inside Walmart in April 2020.
Jason Fletcher manslaughter case dismissed
Former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher fatally shot Steven Taylor in a Walmart store in 2020. The case has dragged on for years.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:20 AM
An Alameda County Superior Court judge dismissed the manslaughter case against former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher on Friday afternoon. Fletcher fatally shot Steven Taylor during a call for service inside Walmart in April 2020.
An Alameda teen arrested with a loaded gun, child pornography charges and a Flock hit leading to a stolen car: We've rounded up details about several recent cases in Berkeley. If you have questions about local police activity, send news tips to The Scanner.
Crime log: Car stop nets gun, child porn case, stolen car arrests
If you have questions about significant Berkeley police activity, please alert The Scanner. We may not know about it without you.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
An Alameda teen arrested with a loaded gun, child pornography charges and a Flock hit leading to a stolen car: We've rounded up details about several recent cases in Berkeley. If you have questions about local police activity, send news tips to The Scanner.
The parents of a 19-year-old UC Berkeley student who died last month after a drowning at a frat party have filed a lawsuit against the fraternity, court papers show. They say an overcrowded, soapy pool created a dangerous situation that led to the death of their son, George Mauricio Salinas.
Parents sue after UC Berkeley frat party drowning death
The suit alleges that an overcrowded, soapy pool created a dangerous situation that led to the death of George Mauricio Salinas.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:18 AM
The parents of a 19-year-old UC Berkeley student who died last month after a drowning at a frat party have filed a lawsuit against the fraternity, court papers show. They say an overcrowded, soapy pool created a dangerous situation that led to the death of their son, George Mauricio Salinas.
The Alameda County DA's office has moved to dismiss the case against former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher, who fatally shot Steven Taylor in a San Leandro Walmart in 2020. Two use-of-force experts have opined that Fletcher's "conduct was not criminal," the DA's office said.
DA's office moves to drop fatal police shooting case
At least two use-of-force experts have opined that Jason Fletcher's "conduct was not criminal," the DA's office said.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The Alameda County DA's office has moved to dismiss the case against former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher, who fatally shot Steven Taylor in a San Leandro Walmart in 2020. Two use-of-force experts have opined that Fletcher's "conduct was not criminal," the DA's office said.
Authorities in Berkeley seized nine firearms this week from a local man who threatened to shoot "anyone that comes onto the property" after a neighborhood boy showed up to find his ball, police report.
Berkeley police seize guns after dispute over boy with ball
Berkeley police arrested 34-year-old Michael Aschoff on Monday evening.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Authorities in Berkeley seized nine firearms this week from a local man who threatened to shoot "anyone that comes onto the property" after a neighborhood boy showed up to find his ball, police report.
A magnitude 2.9 earthquake rattled Berkeley on Monday afternoon, following eight quakes in San Ramon that began at 2:30 a.m.
Magnitude 2.9 earthquake shakes Berkeley
The epicenter was in Oakland but some felt it in Berkeley. It followed eight quakes in San Ramon that began at about 2:30 a.m.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:06 AM
A magnitude 2.9 earthquake rattled Berkeley on Monday afternoon, following eight quakes in San Ramon that began at 2:30 a.m.
A woman who noticed a man following her after a party helped police catch him by leading him to a local police station, authorities report. The woman got off the freeway in Berkeley and called police after seeing the man tail her from SF. He had a loaded gun and Taser in the car, BPD said.
A suspicious man followed her. She helped police catch him
Nolan Leonardo has dozens of arrests dating back more than a decade, according to public records. He was released on OR.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:11 PM
A woman who noticed a man following her after a party helped police catch him by leading him to a local police station, authorities report. The woman got off the freeway in Berkeley and called police after seeing the man tail her from SF. He had a loaded gun and Taser in the car, BPD said.
Police are investigating a carjacking in West Berkeley on Friday night. There have been 14 other carjackings in Berkeley this year.
Berkeley police investigate carjacking on Frontage
There have been 14 other carjackings in Berkeley this year compared to 13 over the same period last year.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Police are investigating a carjacking in West Berkeley on Friday night. There have been 14 other carjackings in Berkeley this year.
A homeless man who attacked a Berkeley High student Wednesday for no reason has been charged with felony assault and child abuse, according to court records and police.
Charges filed after stabbing of Berkeley High student
News of the unprovoked attack circulated this week on NextDoor and among Berkeley High parents online.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A homeless man who attacked a Berkeley High student Wednesday for no reason has been charged with felony assault and child abuse, according to court records and police.
Pamela Price, the former Alameda County district attorney who was recalled by voters last year, says she's not done yet. In a surprise press conference Thursday, Price said she would run for DA in June 2026 and serve out the rest of her six-year term.
Recalled DA Pamela Price says she'll reclaim her seat in 2026
In a surprise press conference, Price said she would run for DA in June and serve out the rest of her six-year term.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Pamela Price, the former Alameda County district attorney who was recalled by voters last year, says she's not done yet. In a surprise press conference Thursday, Price said she would run for DA in June 2026 and serve out the rest of her six-year term.