Berkeley carjacking leads to police chase, 1 arrested
According to emergency traffic reviewed by The Scanner, the suspect reached speeds of at least 70 mph during the chase.
Berkeley police arrested a driver Monday morning after he carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and led police on a high-speed chase before crashing, authorities report.
The incident began Monday at about 9:40 a.m. when officers were dispatched to a carjacking report involving a gun near Camelia and Eighth streets in Berkeley.
Responding officers spotted the driver fleeing and tried to stop him, BPD said in response to a Scanner inquiry.
"The suspect refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued," Berkeley police said.
During the chase, the driver hit a vehicle at San Pablo Avenue and Cedar Street, police said.
BPD arrested the carjacking suspect and the investigation is ongoing, police said just before 10:40 a.m.
The driver was taken to Highland Hospital after the crash but was expected to survive, police said. No one else was reportedly injured.
According to emergency traffic reviewed by The Scanner, the suspect reached speeds of at least 70 mph during the chase.
Left: The crashed carjacking vehicle (blue) and a gray sedan that was damaged in a collision at San Pablo and Cedar. Right: Debris from the crash. Martin Jones
The crashed carjacking vehicle (blue) and a gray sedan that was damaged in a collision at San Pablo and Cedar. Ariel Nava Photo
The driver, who reportedly wore a ski mask and sunglasses, fled from police on city streets in Berkeley going the wrong way on Seventh Street during the initial part of the chase, according to preliminary reports.
The driver also fled on Chestnut Street and up San Pablo Avenue into Albany before turning back around and crashing in Berkeley at San Pablo and Cedar Street, according to dispatch recordings.
At one point during the pursuit, the stolen vehicle was "smoking" and "losing debris" an officer said over the radio.
The driver reportedly hit a vehicle near Gilman and San Pablo and ran a red light before the final collision at San Pablo and Cedar, according to dispatch recordings.
An officer described one person over the radio as injured and "trapped in a car" near Cedar and San Pablo. That person was ultimately able to get out of the vehicle without extrication, according to police and dispatch recordings.
Berkeley police officers had arrested the driver as of about 9:45 a.m., according to dispatch audio.
Javonte Jenkins. BPD
This story will be updated when additional information becomes available.
Update, Aug. 13: Police identified the suspect as Javonte Jenkins, 18, of Benicia.
According to jail records, he was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, hit-and-run causing injury or death, evading police and obstruction.
Jenkins is being held at Santa Rita Jail with a bail of $280,000 and is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Note: Additional photos and some additional details were added to this story shortly after publication.
