Berkeley Suspect Threatens To Kill Booking Officers: Cops

BERKELEY, CA — A man arrested Tuesday on suspicion of brandishing a replica gun threatened to kill booking officers and tried to assault an officer, Berkeley police said in a news release.

Officers responded to a report at around 11:45 a.m. of a male brandishing a gun in the area of Stuart Street and Benvenue, police said.

Witnesses said the male was accompanied by a female, and officers arriving on the scene located the pair that matched a description provided to them, police said.

The female was found to be in possession of a homemade replica gun that appeared to be the weapon the male brandished, police said.

Officers determined the male had prowled in the bed of a pickup truck parked on the street, possibly attempting to steal tools, but was interrupted by the truck’s owner sitting in the cab, police said.

During his booking, the suspect, identified as a 33-year-old Berkeley man, “made repeated, credible threats to assault and murder the booking officers, and attempted to punch an officer,” police said.

The suspect was also booked for making threats of violence against an executive officer and prowling, police said.

Police believe the suspect may also have been responsible for a brandishing incident earlier in the day.

The suspect matched the description in a 2:25 a.m. incident near College Avenue and Haste Street similar in nature, police said.

Both cases were referred to the BPD Detective Division, police said.