Full Notification

On Wednesday, August 24 at 1:10 pm, El Cerrito Police received two 911 calls reporting a physical fight on the Ohlone Greenway near the Bruce King Memorial Dog Park.  Callers stated that an intoxicated subject attacked a male that was walking his dog.  Callers provided a description of the suspect to dispatch.    

When officers arrived on scene, witnesses stated the victim left the scene in fear of further attack.  Officers circulated the area for the victim and suspect.  Within minutes, an officer located the victim on the Ohlone Greenway, near Hill St.  The officer immediately noticed that the victim had abrasions and lacerations on his head and extremities.  Despite his injuries, the victim declined medical attention.   

The victim explained that he was walking his dogs on the Ohlone Greenway when he was approached from behind by an unknown suspect.  The suspect punched the victim in the back of the head approximately 2-3 times in an unprovoked attack.  The victim lost his balance and turned around to see the suspect charging at him.  The suspect punched the victim 3-4 times in the face. 

The victim grabbed the suspect to prevent any further assault and tackled him to the ground.  Once on the ground, the victim pinned the suspect down and yelled for help.  A crowd quickly gathered and assisted in holding down the suspect to allow the victim to escape.  The victim collected his dogs from a witness and fled on foot to avoid being attacked again. 

As officers were speaking with the victim, another officer circulating the area located a possible suspect in the 1700 block of Lexington Ave.  The victim positively identified the suspect as his attacker.  Officers arrested the 41-year-old transient male and transported him to the Martinez Detention Facility. 

The suspect was arrested two weeks prior for a similar unprovoked attack in the same area.  Due to circumstances of that incident, it was determined to be a hate crime.  The suspect is on active Felony Probation in Contra Costa County for Robbery and Grand Theft.  The suspect also has an extensive history of violent encounters with citizens and law enforcement.  

Thanks to the actions of witnesses on scene that called police and provided information leading to the arrest of the suspect.