Features

Police Blotter

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday August 08, 2006

Armed officers storm home; suspect gone 

In a tense standoff that wasn’t, Berkeley police barricaded a house Sunday night, only to find out hours later that an armed gunman had vanished. 

Capt. Stephanie Fleming said officers were called to a rear unit in the 2000 block of Parker Street after a 19-year-old armed with a pistol had threatened family members, then ordered them to leave. 

Neighbors who contacted the Daily Planet said they had been alarmed at the sight of officers in body armor and carrying assault weapons. 

Police surrounded the residence, then summoned the Barricaded Subject Hostage Negotiation Team. 

After attempting for several hours to contact anyone inside the dwelling, officers decided to force entry about 3 a.m.—only to discover that the young gunman had already fled, apparently before the first officers had arrived. 

The young man remained at large Monday, said Capt. Fleming.