VIDEO: Berkeley Police Apprehend Armed Antioch Felony Suspect After Wild Chase
BERKELEY (CBS SF) -- Police in Berkeley on Monday announced the recent arrest of an armed felony suspect who was fleeing from authorities in the East Bay after allegedly ramming his vehicle into another car in Antioch.
On Friday afternoon shortly before 3 p.m., Antioch police received a 911 call reporting an aggravated assault with a motor vehicle in the area of Wilbur Avenue and Cavallo Road. In the incident, a male reportedly rammed his dark Honda sedan into another car occupied by a female and pursing that vehicle.
Antioch Police Officer Hughes located the involved vehicles on West 10th and G Streets. He attempted a traffic stop on the Honda, but the driver fled the area and tried to ram a second police vehicle before getting onto Highway 4 in a westbound direction.
Police requested assistance from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office Air Unit, which was immediately launched from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord. At around 3:11 p.m., the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office informed Berkeley police that the pursuit was entering the city from Highway 13. Police said the sheriff's helicopter was following a suspect overhead.
The suspect in the vehicle -- who police confirmed was a Berkeley resident -- was believed to be headed toward an address in Berkeley. Video of the vehicle pursuit from the Contra Costa Sheriff's helicopter showed the suspect driving recklessly through the streets of Berkeley, frequently veering into the oncoming lane of traffic to get around slower-moving vehicles.
Berkeley police said the suspect eventually parked his vehicle in the area south of UC Berkeley campus. Multiple officers responded to the area to search for the suspect, including members of BPD's Bike Force. Officers with the Bike Force soon spotted the suspect and chased after him as he fled on foot.
When Bike Force officers caught-up with the suspect on Dwight Way, they were able to quickly take the suspect to the ground and restrain him in handcuffs. In the video, a loaded handgun can be seen dropping out of the suspect's fanny pack just as officers took him down.
The suspect -- identified by Berkeley police as 23-year-old Berkeley resident Keenan Hicks-Brown -- was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and carrying a loaded firearm with a large capacity magazine. Antioch police added that the firearm had its serial number scratched off.
Alameda police thanked the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, CHP and Berkeley police for their assistance in the case.
