TBS Today, Feb. 26

We're writing this from the courthouse, which often feels like our second home.

Today's stories: We have some information about an OPD arrest that brought OPD's helicopter to Berkeley last week. Many people asked us about it.

It was a tough one to track down, but we persisted. We always appreciate your inquiries and do our best to chase them down.

Oakland car theft suspect arrested in Berkeley
The Scanner scoured OPD arrest records to try to figure out what happened after readers reported “major police activity” in the area.

We also have a reader dispatch about the frustration he encountered when trying to get police to help recover his stolen car last week.

Berkeley car theft woes: ‘I found the car myself’
Neither BPD nor OPD was willing to help, a resident said, “even though we knew where the car was the whole time.”

Car thefts continue to rise in Berkeley and we all know BPD staffing is low.

We always appreciate hearing from readers about the direct impacts of crime and aim to feature more of your stories.

In other news

If you're interested in learning about disaster first aid, the Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network is holding a free class Thursday at 6:30 p.m. "Critical Life-Saving Measures with an Earthquake Focus" will be led by Barbara Morita at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Church (at Bonita and Cedar) in Berkeley. "This training typically takes 90 minutes. Barbara will include hands-on practice and will have time for questions," BDPNN says.

If you're interested in free speech, Condoleezza Rice and UC Chancellor Carol Christ will be speaking about it Monday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at Zellerbach. Registration is required.

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In case you missed it

More than 50 cars burglarized in West Berkeley overnight
Auto break-ins appear to be experiencing a surge in Berkeley this week.
23 auto break-ins reported at North Berkeley BART
Not counting the recent BART auto burglaries, car break-ins are up 18% in Berkeley this year compared to last year.
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