A Charitable Gesture Interrupted
Berkeley police are searching for a woman accused of carjacking a man at gunpoint late Thursday night near Eighth and Gilman, just after he had finished handing out food to people in need. According to police, the man had picked up a large order of food, including extra portions specifically to give away to people experiencing homelessness, before pulling over to eat his own meal in his gold 2022 Chevrolet Malibu.
A Gun Pointed, Then the Car Was Gone
A woman dressed in dark clothing approached the vehicle, pointed a gun at him, and demanded the car. She drove off before he could react, leaving him stranded at the scene. The shaken victim flagged down an officer near San Pablo Avenue shortly after, setting the search for the stolen vehicle in motion.
Flock Cameras Track the Stolen Malibu
Using license plate reader technology, officers tracked the stolen Malibu into Emeryville, where it was found parked behind two RVs on Union Street. A woman matching the suspect’s description was spotted near the vehicle, but she left the area before officers could approach.
A Tense Standoff at an Empty RV
During the search, officers reported hearing what sounded like a gun being racked, prompting them to hold back rather than approach directly. Police obtained a warrant and brought in drone support from both Emeryville and Oakland police departments to conduct a more thorough search. When Berkeley’s Special Response Team ultimately entered the RV, it was found empty.
Suspect Still at Large
Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic woman, possibly in her 40s or 50s, with black hair tied back and missing several front teeth. She remains at large as of the latest update, and the investigation continues.