Berkeley Hate Crime Suspect Arrested

BERKELEY, CA — A hate crime suspect was arrested in connection with an altercation last month outside a Berkeley hamburger restaurant, police said.

The suspect, identified as a 61-year-old Berkeley man, was involved in an argument with his victim and struck the victim after they turned away from him according to police.

The victim was not injured, police said.

The incident occurred May 23 at around 11:45 a.m. at the Nation’s Giant Hamburgers at 1800 University Avenue according to police.

The suspect made disparaging remarks about the victim’s race before the assault and continued yelling at him afterwards according to police.

The victim is white, police said.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of battery and willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics, which is considered a hate crime according to police.

A hate crime is classified under California law as a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim’s real or perceived protected social group according to the state’s Attorney General’s Office.