Police arrest intruder after attempted rape of Cal student
A dispatcher said she could hear a woman "screaming and saying, 'get out of the room,'" as police rushed to Carleton Street.
An intruder with his pants down pushed his way into the bedroom of a UC Berkeley student Wednesday, then cornered her and put his arms around her before being arrested, authorities report.
Berkeley police forced their way into the home, in the 2400 block of Carleton Street just west of Telegraph Avenue, and quickly took Isaiah Grays into custody.
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, false imprisonment and burglary, among other crimes.
Grays, 26, has no permanent address, Berkeley police said.
One of the Carleton Street residents told police she had been in her kitchen when she looked out and saw a stranger outside her window.
When the man came toward the window, she tried to close it, but he "pushed her hands away causing her to fall" and was able to get inside, Berkeley police said in response to a Scanner inquiry.
The man began checking bedroom doors and came to one where another student had locked herself inside and called 911, police said.
The intruder managed to break through the locked door by throwing his body weight against it, authorities said.
"The suspect entered the bedroom with his sweatpants down and his penis exposed," police said. "He cornered the victim and wrapped his arms around her" as she "struggled and tried to escape."
A dispatcher said she could hear a woman "screaming and saying, 'get out of the room,'" as police rushed to Carleton Street "Code 3," with lights and sirens.
Berkeley police, including BPD's bike unit, arrived quickly and arrested Grays.
As of Thursday, he remains in custody at Berkeley Jail with arraignment scheduled for Friday.
About a year ago, in March 2024, Grays was charged in Alameda County with armed robbery and exhibiting a weapon, but he quickly took a plea deal that saw the armed robbery charge dropped.
He was sentenced to unsupervised court probation through March 20, 2025.
There had been 13 felony sex crimes in Berkeley as of Feb. 22 (the most recent date available) compared to at least 11 over the same period last year, according to BPD data.
UC Berkeley police also received a report of a rape on Cal property, in the 2200 block of Piedmont Avenue, on Feb. 1.
Campus sexual violence support resources
- Confidential Care Advocate, PATH to Care Center: 510-643-2005 (24/7)
- University Health Services nurse advice line: 510-643-7197 (24/7)
- Gender Equity Resource Center: 510-643-5727
- Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (Title IX)
Other 24/7 resources
- Bay Area Women Against Rape: 510-800-4247
- Highland Hospital: 510-437-4800
For more information on sexual violence prevention and resources, UCPD directed members of the campus community to its survivor support website.
