Quick-Thinking Neighbors Outsmart Teen Suspects In Robbery-In-Progress

BERKELEY (CBS SF) -- Some quick-witted neighbors in Berkeley's Elmwood neighborhood foiled a strong-arm robbery in progress with a bold plan straight out of an action movie.

It all happened Sunday at the corner of Brookside and Claremont Avenues around 12:30 p.m., according to Berkeleyside.

Two teenage girls accosted an 18-year-old woman walking down the street, grabbing her phone, and backpack. One of them struck her as the other snatched her necklace and extracted a wallet from her backpack before fleeing to an awaiting van.

A woman driving by in a minivan saw what was happening and stopped her vehicle in the middle of the street, blocking the van's only escape route. Another neighbor, who recounted the ordeal to Berkeleyside, had heard the victim's screaming and called 911. She said she feared the getaway van would plow into the minivan. To make matters worse, the minivan had children in the backseat.

Unaware, the getaway van sped down the street. Realizing they were trapped by the minivan, the suspects stopped in a driveway. More neighbors came outside. Four teens jumped out of the getaway van and bolted past them, dropping the victim's wallet.

Police arrived momentarily and the 911 caller got in the patrol car to help them track the suspects. All four were apprehended two blocks away, on Claremont and Woolsey. Police arrested them on suspicion of robbery. Their names are being withheld because they were all minors.

The victim's property was recovered. Police said she suffered minor injuries and was considerably shaken but declined medical attention.

The 911 caller told Berkeleyside, "It was an incredibly brazen act — in the middle of a busy Sunday afternoon on a main street corner. Just crazy."