Berkeley Hate Crime Probed

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

The suspect is accused of making criminal threats and disparaging comments toward people of Mexican descent according to police.

The 60-year-old man’s May 26 arrest culminated an investigation of an incident that occurred earlier that month according to police.

The incident occurred May 16 at around 2:25 p.m. at Casa Latina Bakery at 1805 San Pablo Ave. when he entered the restaurant and began pointing at different customers—simulating a firearm with his hand and telling them he was going to kill them, police said.

When the staff person the suspect cursed at asked him to leave, he threatened to kill them and placed his hands inside his waistband, simulating reaching for a weapon, police said.

Officers were able to identify the suspect and located him inside Willard Park where they arrested him, police said.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office on May 27 charged the suspect with making criminal threats and willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics, which is considered a hate crime.

A hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim's real or perceived protected social group

For more information about hate crimes and how to report such incidents visit the California Attorney General's website.