Berkeley, California (Tuesday, April 27, 2021) - On April 18th at 7:54 pm, officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the area of Delaware Street and McGee Avenue involving the driver of a package delivery service and another driver. When officers arrived they learned that the incident began when a driver (a 35-year-old Berkeley woman) thought they saw the package delivery person driving too fast in the area. The driver and her boyfriend then decided to follow the package delivery person—leading to a confrontation on the 1700 block of Delaware Street.
During that altercation, the driver used force to prevent the package delivery person from leaving and used hateful language disparaging of people of color.
Based on the above information, officers arrested the driver on suspicion of PC 236—False imprisonment, PC 242—Battery, PC 415(3)—Using offensive words and PC 422.6(a)—willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics.
A hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim’s real or perceiving protected social group (see Information Bulletin on Hate Crime Laws).
The Berkeley Police Department recognizes and places a high priority on the rights of all individuals guaranteed under state and federal law. The commission of a hate crime is a serious offense, which will not be tolerated in the City of Berkeley.
For more information about Hate Crimes and reporting, visit the CA Attorney General’s website resources.
Case 2021-00017132
