Latest news with #BerkeleyPoliceDepartment
New York Post
06-05-2025
- New York Post
Suspected car thief hurls live grenade at Calif. cops during wild car chase
In a scene ripped from the video game franchise Grand Theft Auto, a suspected car thief tossed a live grenade at cops during a wild car chase Friday, causing panic in a residential California neighborhood. California Highway Patrol officers narrowly avoided catastrophe Friday when the suspect, Carlos Kuceja, 28, hurled the explosive device at them in an effort to avoid capture while driving through Berkeley. 3 The live grenade that a suspect hurled at police during a chase in Oakland. California Highway Patrol Advertisement The nearly disastrous incident began when CHP officers tried to pull over Kuceja in Oakland at approximately 3:30 p.m. after he was seen allegedly driving in a stolen car, cops said in a press release. 'When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Kuceja fled, and a pursuit ensued,' CHP said. 'The pursuit proceeded at slow speeds through Oakland and entered the city of Berkeley.' Kuceja threw a bag from the driver's side window during the pursuit, officers said. Another cop not involved in the chase probed the bag only to make the explosive discovery. Advertisement 'Upon looking inside, the officer observed what appeared to be a grenade with the safety pin partially removed,' police said in a statement. CHP notified the Berkeley Police Department of the grenade and requested assistance while telling local residents to evacuate their homes. The University of California, Berkeley, Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to the area, secured the grenade and cleared the area by 5 p.m., police said. 3 California Highway Patrol officers narrowly avoided catastrophe when a suspect hurled a grenade at them during a chase Friday. Sundry Photography – Meanwhile, the chase for the suspect continued. Kuceja abandoned the stolen vehicle and tried to make his getaway on foot, police said. Advertisement Officers chased after him and cornered him on a dead-end street. The UCPD Bomb Team also searched the abandoned car and determined there were no additional explosives in the vehicle. 3 Police take suspect Carlos Kuceja, 28, into custody after a harrowing car chase in which he allegedly hurled a grenade at pursuing officers. KTVU After acquiring a search warrant, officers also scoured Kuceja's residence — a multi-home dwelling where police say he was living illegally –– for other explosives, but none were found, police said. Advertisement Residents at the location were temporarily evacuated while police conducted their search. They were allowed back into their homes by 10:30 p.m., police said. Kuceja was arrested on felony charges of possession and transportation of a destructive device, possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing police and resisting arrest, police said.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Undocumented worker charged with $11K iPhone theft at Clayco
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A twice-deported, undocumented worker was arrested last week after stealing nearly a dozen new iPhones from the construction firm where he worked. According to the Berkeley Police Department's probable cause statement, the theft happened on the evening of April 24 at Clayco headquarters on Evans Avenue. Police met with members of Clayco's IT department on April 25 for a reported theft. Witnesses told police that a box containing 11 new iPhone 16s (worth approximately $1,050 each) was missing from the department, which had been secured. 'You're O-U-T, out!' says legal expert in FOX 2's findings on St. Louis Sheriff The company's head of security told police he had obtained a surveillance video of an employee, Erik Munoz, entering the secure IT area and taking the box of phones. Munoz placed the box in the loading area and then took the box home at the end of his shift. Police executed a search warrant at Munoz's home and truck, but investigators only found five empty iPhone cases in a trash bag behind the residence. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Munoz with stealing – $750 or more. Munoz was jailed on a $15,000 cash-only bond. He has a bond reduction hearing scheduled for May 7 and a preliminary hearing on May 29. FOX 2 News reached out to Clayco for comment on this story but we have not heard back. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Still no trace of vanished members of online cult
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The Berkeley Police Department tells FOX 2 the six people who vanished from a St. Louis County home nearly two years ago are still nowhere to be found. In August of 2023, six people, including then 25-year-old Makayla Wickerson and her three-year-old daughter, Maliayah, went missing from her Berkeley home. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The four adults involved were part of an online cult called 'The University of Cosmic Intelligence.' The department said the cult itself has been tied to a variety of crimes, including human trafficking. Its founder is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for child molestation. Both investigators and the victims' families are concerned about their well-being. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. Makayla Wickerson and her daughter's disappearance will be featured in the debut episode of 'America's Most Wanted: Missing Persons,' that airs Monday at 7 p.m. CST on FOX 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Berkeley police campaign to make DJ Daniels an honorary officer
ST. LOUIS – A local official from the Berkeley Police Department is striving to make history and fulfill a dream for a 13-year-old boy. Berkeley Police Major Steve Runge has kickstarted a campaign for Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel, who is battling brain cancer. Runge spoke to FOX 2 with his initiative to swear in Daniel as an honorary police officer by more than 100 police departments—all at once. Daniel became a national sensation, making his appearance in Washington during President Trump's address to Congress in early March. One of those who tuned in to watch the address was Runge, who was moved by the celebration of Daniel's service. Runge felt compelled to reach out right away. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I made a call the next day, and got (Daniel's) address, his phone number and spoke to his dad,' Runge explained. 'I said, 'You have got to come to St. Louis.' And he agreed.' DJ's father, Theodis Daniel, has visited St. Louis before, according to Runge when describing his conversation with FOX 2. Runge had the opportunity to invite DJ to visit the Berkeley Police Department, which became one of many tours for the 13-year-old and his father. Runge and his department reached out to all other police departments in Missouri, as well as in southern Illinois. However, Runge wanted to spread the word about DJ to other departments in the United States. '(DJ) travels all over the country—he was in San Antonio and was just in Little Rock and was just in Baltimore—and he has cancer,' Runge explained. '(And) it's tough, so let's bring the country to him.' Forty-three departments are championing this campaign, as well as Guns 'N Hoses. But this campaign for DJ is just beginning, Runge noted. DJ Daniel will be making his appearance in St. Louis on April 14-16. Family of Riley Strain files wrongful death lawsuit against Delta Chi fraternity '(DJ) wants to ride and do traffic stops,' Runge said. Although DJ will be occupied riding with officers, he looks to hand out hugs instead of tickets. Runge shared a GoFundMe that looks to support DJ Daniel's dream, as well as transportation expenses. 'A little boy wants to chase his dreams, and we're going to make it happen,' Runge said. DJ Daniel's GoFundMe-Page can be viewed here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Hazelwood man charged in Church's Chicken shooting
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Hazelwood man faces various charges for a shooting in Ferguson, threatening to kill a car rental employee, and leading police in a pursuit while driving a stolen car from Missouri to Illinois. According to the Berkeley Police Department's probable cause statement, Cameroon T.E. Clay, 23, went to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch on Natural Bridge Road on Feb. 4, 2024, and asked to rent a vehicle. After being denied, police said Clay got angry and threatened to come back to the business with a gun. On March 20, 2024, Clay called the same Enterprise branch to express his displeasure over not being able to rent a car. At the end of the call, police said Clay threatened to kill the employee who wouldn't rent a vehicle to him in the first place. According to the Ferguson Police Department's probable cause statement, the Church's Chicken shooting occurred on Feb. 21, 2025, in the 10600 block of New Halls Ferry Road. Police said Clay entered the fast-food restaurant and demanded a free cup of water. Clay was told he'd have to pay for the cup of water. Clay got mad and began knocking over cups and other items in the business. Employees asked Clay to leave and then forced him out the door after he displayed a gun, police said. Clay got in a car and began shooting at the Church's Chicken, striking an employee inside the business. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now On Feb. 24, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received an alert from the Real Time Crime Center of a stolen vehicle sighting in Benton Park West. The vehicle, a 2011 Acura MDX, had been reported stolen earlier in the day out of St. Louis County. City police followed the vehicle across the Eads Bridge and into Illinois. Police said the vehicle's tires were flattened with spike strips. The vehicle slid across the street and was unable to move. Police said Clay, who was in the passenger seat, switched places with the driver, an unnamed juvenile, and managed to get the stolen Acura moving again. That attempt was short-lived, as the Acura crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames. Both Clay and the juvenile were then taken into custody. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Clay with first-degree harassment, first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of weapon, and three counts of armed criminal action. Clay remains jailed on a $150,000 cash-only bond. He's due in court for a preliminary hearing on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 26. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office charged Clay with first-degree vehicle tampering, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a weapon. He's due in court for a scheduled hearing on the morning of March 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
