Man Who Tried To Take Berkeley Cop's Gun Held On Attempted Murder Charge
BERKELEY (CBS SF) -- A 41-year-old man is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, battery on an officer and other charges after allegedly trying to take a gun from a Berkeley police officer on Monday, police said Tuesday.
Berkeley police spokesman Byron White said officers were dispatched to Bolivar Drive along Aquatic Park, adjacent to Interstate Highway 80, after receiving a report that a man was trying to start a fire.
White said the first officer who arrived at the scene spotted the suspect, Carlos Alberto Delagarza, and tried to detain him but Delagarza knocked the officer to the ground and began punching and kicking him.
During the struggle, Delagarza grabbed onto the officer's holstered gun to try to pull it out but the officer tried to fend off the Delagarza's blows, maintain his weapon and fighting for his life, White said.
Delagarza then ran down the road and jumped into the water, according to White.
After several other officers arrived at the scene to assist the first officer, authorities were able to coax Delagarza out of the water and he was taken into custody, White said.
Delagarza was taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries and then moved to the Berkeley City Jail, according to White.
The officer was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and is "doing well," White said.
In addition to attempted murder and battery against an officer, Delagarza is being held on suspicion of taking a firearm from a police officer, second-degree robbery and battery with serious bodily injury.
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