By Jim Emerson
BERKELEY, CA— One man has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation of two
armed robberies, and two vehicle thefts.
Jacob M. Hellman, 20, of Antioch, remains in custody at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail, pending a March 14 bail hearing.
Hellman was placed under arrest at his residence on March 4 at 7:30 a.m., and his home was
searched. Berkeley police recovered a pistol and other evidence implicating Hellman in the
armed robberies that happened last year.
On the morning of November 6, Hellman allegedly robbed Dream Fluff Donuts, 2637 Ashby
Avenue, Berkeley. He allegedly entered the donut shop with four other suspects who are still at large.
The suspects fled in two separate vehicles—both reported stolen in Contra Costa County.
Three of the four suspects were armed and threatened the donut store clerk.
The clerk tried to run out of the shop, but he was forced to stay and open the cash register. The robbers fled
taking money stolen from the register and the tip jar on the counter.
Shortly afterward, six persons in the same two stolen getaway cars robbed a Chevron gas
station, 2996 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley.
Again, the suspects fled in two cars, but one of those stolen cars soon crashed on International Boulevard in Oakland. Surveillance cameras
in the area recorded the crash on video.
Investigators identified Hellman as one of the robbery suspects, and he was also linked to
one of the stolen getaway cars.
Hellman was booked into jail on suspicion of kidnapping the store clerk, robbery, grand theft, and receiving a stolen vehicle.
On March 6, charges were filed against Hellman. His charges include second-degree robbery, use of a firearm, grand theft,
kidnapping, and receiving a stolen vehicle.
