Update: Driver tossed grenade during CHP chase into Berkeley
After spotting the grenade, officers immediately closed traffic and began evacuating people from the area. The driver was ID'd as Carlos Kuceja.
Update, 8:40 p.m. The man who was arrested Friday in Berkeley after a CHP chase has been identified as Carlos Kuceja, 28, according to jail records.
Authorities say Kuceja dropped a live grenade out of his stolen car during the police pursuit.
He was arrested on suspicion of felony evading — wrong way driver and disregarding safety — as well as vehicle theft, possessing a destructive device and other crimes, according to jail records.
Kuceja is being held at Santa Rita Jail on $390,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment Tuesday at Wiley Manuel Courthouse, records show.
Berkeley police arrested Kuceja in mid-April on suspicion of prowling, according to public records. He has no charged criminal cases in Alameda County, according to court records.
CHP officers arrest a man after a pursuit into Berkeley. Ariel Nava Photo
Update, 6:10 p.m. A suspect who threw a grenade out of his car was arrested in Berkeley on Friday after leading CHP officers on a pursuit from Oakland, authorities report.
The incident began around 3:30 p.m. when officers on the CHP's crime suppression team spotted a stolen car near Cerrito Avenue and 38th Street in North Oakland, the California Highway Patrol said.
When officers tried to stop the driver, he fled, authorities said.
The CHP chased him for 15 minutes, ending up in North Berkeley.
"As the suspect vehicle was passing the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rose Street, the driver threw a bag out of the window," according to the CHP. "An officer not involved in the pursuit immediately stopped and secured the bag."
CHP officers arrest a man after a pursuit into Berkeley. David Yee
Inside, the officer found what authorities believe was a live grenade, the CHP said.
"Officers immediately closed traffic at that location and began evacuating people from the area. The suspect continued fleeing for another two blocks before turning down a dead end street and ultimately surrendering to officers," according to the CHP.
Authorities arrested the driver, whose name was not immediately available.
The University of California Police Department bomb team responded to the scene and took possession of the device.
Stay tuned for updates, including additional photos from the scene.
Update, 6 p.m. Berkeley police have re-opened the roadways and cleared the area after Friday afternoon's CHP chase and grenade report, which prompted evacuations.
Update, 5 p.m. In a brief statement, Berkeley police said the CHP chase entered Berkeley just after 3:30 p.m.
"During the pursuit, it was reported that an occupant of the fleeing vehicle threw a bag from the car. It was indicated that the bag may have contained a possible grenade," BPD said.
CHP officers and Berkeley police in the 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Erik Olson
The report prompted evacuations in the area around the 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
BPD said the evacuations are "a precaution while the Bomb Team is enroute to assess and render the item safe."
BPD also noted that the CHP is in charge of the incident, with BPD assisting along with support from UC Berkeley police.
"We urge all residents to avoid the area and follow instructions from law enforcement until the scene is declared safe," BPD said. "Further updates will be provided as information becomes available."
Original story: Authorities have asked community members to avoid a busy block in North Berkeley following a CHP chase that led to an arrest and reports of a grenade.
Police are evacuating the area following reports the suspect who was being chased dropped one or more grenades out of the vehicle during the pursuit.
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The Scanner is working to learn more.
In a Nixle alert shortly before 4:30 p.m., Berkeley police said evacuations are underway in the 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way "due to a suspicious device."
BPD asked people to avoid several blocks during the police response.
- Berryman Street at Josephine Street to Vine Street
- 1300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way
- Bonita Avenue at Vine Street to Berryman Street
Police said Josephine Street and Bonita Avenue are both fully blocked off: "Please avoid the area and use alternative routes," BPD said.
This story was updated repeatedly due to the developing nature of events.
