UC Berkeley Safety Alert Issued Following Report of Armed Bike Thief, Weapon Unconfirmed

Berkeley, CA – A safety alert was issued to the UC Berkeley campus community Wednesday night following a report of an armed individual attempting to steal a bicycle. Authorities initiated the alert after receiving a report of a bike thief claiming to be armed, prompting a rapid police response to the area around Evans Hall and Moffitt Library.

The initial report to UC Berkeley police came from an individual who witnessed someone attempting to saw through the lock of their bicycle. "The would-be thief claimed he was armed, which the victim quickly reported to police," officials stated. The alert advised the public to avoid the specified campus locations "until further notice."

Upon arrival, UC Berkeley officers found the culprit had already fled the scene. However, a review of security footage by police determined that the individual "did not appear to have been armed," according to a campus spokesman. The police do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community.

The incident highlights the persistent issue of bicycle theft on the UC Berkeley campus. While this specific report involved a claim of a weapon, bike theft remains a common concern for students and faculty. The university police department frequently advises on theft prevention, including secure locking techniques and bike registration.

The investigation into the attempted theft is ongoing. UC Berkeley utilizes a safety app to send critical alerts to its community, as demonstrated by Wednesday night's notification.