Berkeley, California (Wednesday, September 16, 2020) - On September 14th at 9:35 pm, officers responded to the 2500 block of Durant Avenue after a suspect tried to set several people on fire.
Shortly before police arrived, two men were outside of Artichoke Basille’s Pizza (2590 Durant Avenue) eating their food when the suspect approached them. The suspect knocked their food off of the table and announced that he was going to light them on fire. As the two men walked from the suspect, the suspect sprayed them with WD-40.
After the two men were able to escape from the suspect, the suspect turned his attention to four others outside of Feng Cha Teahouse (2528 Durant Avenue)—spraying/igniting the hair of two people.
Thankfully bystanders were able to quickly extinguish the person’s hair while others tried to subdue the suspect. During that encounter, the suspect showed others that he was armed with a hatchet.
Shortly thereafter, officers arrived and were able to convince the suspect to drop his hatchet. When officers searched the suspect, they also found knives (including a machete), matches, lighters and several “Molotov cocktails.”
On September 16th, the Alameda County District Attorney’s office charged the suspect (Brandon McGlone, 46 years old, Berkeley, CA) with PC 451(d)—Arson, PC 422—Criminal threats, PC 244—throwing a flammable substance on another, PC 245(a)(1)—Assault with a deadly weapon, PC 18715—Possession of destructive devices and other charges.
The Berkeley Police Department takes great pride in keeping our community safe. We appreciate the public’s support and are pleased that we were able to bring justice to those who wish to do harm to our community.
Case 2020-00042515
