Berkeley woman, 78, fends off teen armed robber with stick; suspect later arrested

BERKELEY — A 78-year-old woman out walking her dog Friday night used a stick she was carrying to knock away what turned out to be a BB gun from a 16-year-old boy trying to rob her, authorities said.

The woman was not hurt and the boy was later arrested and the gun recovered, authorities said.

A 13-year-old boy who was with the suspect was released after it was determined he was not involved in the crime, police said. Both boys are from Berkeley, authorities said.

Police said the attempted robbery happened about 9:07 p.m. Friday on Hopkins Street near Carlotta Avenue.

The woman was walking her dog when two youths approached her from behind.

The 16-year-old, who police said was wearing a black mask, pointed what turned out to be a BB gun at the woman and demanded her property, police said.

The woman refused; when the suspect asked her again, she again said no, and he grabbed at her pocket, police said.

That prompted the woman to use a stick she was carrying to knock the BB gun out of the suspect’s hand.

The two youths ran away but were located in the area by police. Police said the woman identified the 16-year-old as the the attempted robbery suspect.

The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and taken to juvenile hall. It was not known Thursday if he had been charged.