Transient Arrested Again After Violent Shell Gas Station Robbery Attempt in Berkeley
– By Jim Emerson
BERKELEY, CA — A transient troublemaker in-and-out of jail frequently was arrested again this
month in Berkeley. Ronald Smith, 32, remains in custody at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail,
pending his next court hearing on February 17.
Smith was arrested on February 3 at 3:35 p.m. Police apprehended him less than 24 hours
after he allegedly tried robbing a Shell gas station at 1250 University Avenue. At the time of
his most recent arrest, he was on parole for a prior attempted robbery conviction.
An incident on February 2 escalated to violence shortly after 9 p.m. Smith was identified as
the suspect who allegedly brandished a knife at a gas station clerk, and demanded money
from her.
Besides brandishing a knife, Smith allegedly reached over the counter, pulled the clerk’s hair
and broke her eyeglasses. The clerk sustained injuries during the assault, and received
medical treatment at a hospital.
Smith reportedly tried to force open the cash register before fleeing, leaving behind the
damaged cash register. Although Smith fled without getting any cash, his charges include
robbery, because of the alleged use of force.
Smith was apprehended the following day when police responded to reported attempted
burglary. This crime happened on the 1200 block of Francisco Street, while the resident as at
home.
Police found Smith nearby and arrested him for the attempted burglary and the gas station
incident. Detectives recognized him as the suspect in the gas station incident, which was
recorded by a security camera.
Charges filed against Smith include attempted first-degree burglary, attempted second-degree
robbery, and second-degree robbery. He has been arrested 21 times since 2016 for such
offenses as kidnapping, robbery, burglary, and petty thefts.
