Suspect Arrested For Hate Crime In City Of Berkeley

Press release from City of Berkeley:

May 25, 2021

Berkeley, California (Tuesday, May 25, 2021) - On May 19th at 6:39 pm, a suspect entered 7-11 store (2000 San Pablo Avenue) and opened up a bag of chips. When the clerk asked the suspect to leave the store, the suspect became aggressive and started yelling threatening statements and comments that are disparaging of persons of foreign descent.

When officers found the suspect nearby, the suspect refused to stop and ran into the street (back and forth on University Avenue). Officers maintained eye contact on the suspect until the suspect tripped over his own feet. Officers then arrested the suspect (a 63-year-old Berkeley man) on suspicion of PC 594(a)(1)—vandalism, PC 148(a)(1)—resisting arrest and PC 422.6(a)—willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics. PC 422.6(a) 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 (see Information Bulletin on Hate Crime Laws).

The Berkeley Police Department recognizes and places a high priority on the rights of all individuals guaranteed under state and federal law. The commission of a hate crime is a serious offense, which will not be tolerated in the City of Berkeley.

For more information about Hate Crimes and reporting, visit the CA Attorney General’s website for resources.

This press release was produced by City of Berkeley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.