Robber uses victim’s bathroom before stealing car

When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.

A robber who approached a Berkeley man outside of his apartment this morning forced the victim to let him use his bathroom at gunpoint, a police officer said.

The victim was returning to the apartment he shares with his grandmother in the 2300 block of Seventh Street at about 7 a.m. while driving his grandmother’s car, police Officer Byron White said.

When the victim got out of the car, the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Joseph Skyler of Berkeley, emerged from behind the building and pointed a gun at him.

Skyler allegedly took the victim’s keys and cellphone, then told him he needed to use his restroom.

He forced the victim to take him inside his apartment, where he kicked the grandmother out of the bathroom and brought her grandson inside with him. Skyler, still pointing the gun, modestly made the victim turn around while he used the toilet, White said.

After that, he left in the grandmother’s car. The family called police.

Police received another call about a reckless driver in the area of University Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way about an hour later, White said.

Officers responded and found Skyler driving the grandmother’s car near The Solar Car Wash at 1198 University Ave. The officers arrested him and found a loaded gun in the car.

They also found Skyler’s puppy and took the dog to animal control, White said.

Skyler was booked into jail on suspicion of robbery and carjacking.