El Cerrito Hate Crime Suspect Arrested

EL CERRITO, CA — A suspect was arrested in connection with an assault Thursday that authorities have classified as a hate crime, the El Cerrito Police Department said.

Officers at around 3 p.m. responded to a report of an assault near the intersection of San Pablo and Potrero avenues, police said.

Officers at the scene learned the suspect made a race-based comment and punched the victim in the head after he refused the suspect's request for a cigarette, police said.

The victim, a 69-year-old man of Middle Eastern descent, fell to the ground and lost consciousness according to police.

Officers located the suspect in the parking lot of the Hotel Mira Vista Berkeley North.

When the suspect refused to comply with commands, officers took him into custody by detaining him with a "standing bear hug," police said.

Once in handcuffs, the suspect began acting erratically and refused to sit in the police car, authorities said.

Officers used a WRAP device to immobilize him and called for a medical response to evaluate his physical wellbeing, police said.

The victim sought medical treatment for his injuries according to police.

The suspect was transported to the hospital for a health check, prior to being taken to Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez, police said.

Officers identified the suspect as Nicholas Andre Kimmons, a 40-year-old resident of Richmond.

“The ECPD plans to present charges for felony battery with enhancements for a hate crime and elder abuse to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office,” police said in a statement.

The arrest of the suspect was filmed by an interested third party who provided inaccurate commentary while filming, police said.

The person filming told officers that he was live streaming the video and refused to answer questions or provide information about where investigators could get copies of the video, police said.