Woman Carjacked In Berkeley; Suspect Caught Following Chase

BERKELEY, CA — A woman was carjacked in the 1600 block of Walnut Street just after 6:00 this morning. One suspect has been arrested following a police chase involving a CHP helicopter and patrol cars from the CHP and Oakland Police.

The victim told Berkeley Police officers that she was getting into her car when a dark sedan, occupied by two people, pulled up and a man got out. Berkeley Police said in a release, "The victim was sitting in the driver seat of her car when the suspect pulled her out, assaulted her, and then drove away northbound on Walnut Street in her black, Lexus RX 350. Dispatch immediately entered the car into the Stolen Vehicle System."

Just a few hours later, at 9:35 a.m., Berkeley Police Dispatch was contacted by a helicopter from the California Highway Patrol who had spotted the stolen Lexus at Golden Gate Fields.

A CHP patrol vehicle tried to stop of the Lexus but was involved in collision with a second vehicle that was with the stolen Lexus.

The CHP helicopter continued to follow the Lexus as it raced through Berkeley and into Oakland. The Oakland Police Department was notified that a chase involving the carjacked vehicle had entered their city.

The Lexus was abandoned by the driver in the 1300 block of Mandela Parkway in front of an apartment complex. The suspect got into another vehicle parked nearby and again tried to flee. The CHP helicopter stuck with the suspect, guiding in Oakland Police on the ground. The suspect crashed the second vehicle and tried to flee on foot in the area of 10th and Pine Streets but was taken into custody without incident.

Oakland Officers also recovered property stolen from the victim during this morning’s carjacking.

The names of the suspect and victim have not been released.

The investigation continues as police attempt to identify other suspects.

The Berkeley Police Department expressed thanks for the assist from the CHP and OPD.

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