Berkeley Hate Crime Suspect Arrested

BERKELEY, CA — A hate crime suspect was arrested last week in connection with a May 19 incident at the 7-11 store at 2000 San Pablo Ave., the Berkeley Police Department said.

The 63-year-old Berkeley man was arrested on suspicion of vandalism, resisting arrest, and willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics, which is considered a hate crime according to police.

The suspect at around 6:40 p.m. on May 19 became aggressive when a clerk who noticed him opening a bag of chips asked him to leave the store, police said.

The suspect yelled threatening statements and made comments disparaging of people of foreign descent according to police.

When officers found the suspect nearby, he refused to stop and ran into the street (back and forth on University Avenue), police said.

Officers maintained eye contact on the suspect until the suspect tripped over his own feet, police said. He was subsequently arrested.

A hate crime is defined by the state’s Attorney General’s Office as a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim’s real or perceived protected social group.

“The Berkeley Police Department recognizes and places a high priority on the rights of all individuals guaranteed under state and federal law,” the BPD said in a statement.

“The commission of a hate crime is a serious offense, which will not be tolerated in the City of Berkeley.”