A UC Berkeley student was caught on surveillance video sprinting through a locked gate as a homeless man allegedly pursued her to her home. The footage appears to show him climbing over the barrier and entering her apartment complex, but he remains free while prosecutors review whether to file charges.
The alarming encounter occurred Sept. 15 outside the Berkeley, California, apartment building and was recorded by security cameras.
The video shows the woman entering the secured property at about 8 p.m. Moments later, a man climbs over the locked gate and allegedly follows her inside while carrying an object that was initially described as a knife.
Security video shows a UC Berkeley student leaving her apartment complex with her dog as a man allegedly follows them. (Berkeley Police Department)
Berkeley police later said the object was likely a barbecue lighter. Investigators also determined that the man and woman did not have direct contact.
The student, who spoke to ABC7 under the name Eden for safety reasons, said she was walking her dog on Berkeley Way when the man began making unusual gestures and moved toward her. She said he eventually started running in her direction.
According to the outlet, Eden reached the apartment complex and got to an elevator before the man could determine where she had gone.
“I shut the gate behind me, heard him and saw him climbing the gate,” Eden told ABC7.
Security video captures the man who allegedly chased a UC Berkeley student home following her and her dog outside her apartment complex. (Berkeley Police Department)
The Berkeley Police Department said the woman called at approximately 8:04 p.m. At the time, patrol officers were responding to other high-priority incidents, including a domestic violence case and a report about a missing person believed to be at risk.
Eden told ABC7 that officers arrived roughly an hour later but could not find the man.
At about 9:24 p.m. the following night, police received another report involving the same man. He was reportedly lying on a sidewalk near Berkeley Way and Walnut Street.
Officers responded, detained him and confirmed his identity, the department said. Police also determined that he was the individual involved in the alleged trespassing incident the previous night, but they did not arrest him.
A man is seen following a UC Berkeley student and her dog through the gate of her Berkeley apartment complex. (Berkeley Police Department)
Police said California law generally bars officers from making a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor that did not take place in their presence. Since the alleged trespassing occurred the day before, officers said they could not arrest the man based only on that allegation.
Investigators instead forwarded the case to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors will decide whether the evidence supports criminal charges.
ABC7 reported that the district attorney’s office confirmed it was reviewing the case. No charges had been filed as of Monday.
Eden said she was shocked that a man could allegedly chase her into a secured building, be identified by police and still leave without being arrested. She urged officials to strengthen laws and improve protections for residents, according to ABC7.
UC Berkeley and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to News Outlet’s request for comment.
