Berkeley Police Investigating Arson At The Way Christian Center

BERKELEY, CA – Berkeley Police are investigation a possible arson on University Avenue Wednesday.

On Wednesday just before 1 a.m., emergency crews responded to The Way Christian Center at 1305 University Avenue for a report of a fire.

When officers arrived, they learned that an unknown suspect set a plastic trash bin on fire in the rear parking lot of the building, according to a press release on the police department's website.

According to the person who reported the fire, the suspect was seen standing over the fire and then walking away eastbound on University Avenue.

The Way Christian Center posted photos of the damage with a caption that said the church had put up a Black Lives Matter banner on Tuesday and the fire happened the following night.

"This is what happens when hateful people say that 'All Lives Matter' don't believe that 'all' includes Black Lives," the church said in the post.

The suspect is described as an unknown race or age, possibly male, wearing a tan poncho or jacket with reflective material.

Officers searched the area for the suspect but did not find them.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 510-981-5737.