A UC Berkeley student can be seen on chilling surveillance footage sprinting through a locked gate as a homeless man allegedly pursued her to her home. The video shows the man climbing over the barrier and entering her apartment complex, where he remained at large as prosecutors considered whether to file charges.
The frightening encounter occurred Sept. 15 outside an apartment building in Berkeley, California, and was captured by security cameras.
Footage shows the woman entering the secured complex 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 the woman did not have direct contact.
The student, identified as Eden to protect her safety, told ABC7 that she was walking her dog on Berkeley Way when the man began making unusual gestures and moved toward her. He then allegedly 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 of a missing person considered at risk.
Eden told ABC7 that officers arrived roughly an hour later but could not find the man.
At approximately 9:24 p.m. the following evening, police received a report that the same man was lying on a sidewalk near Berkeley Way and Walnut Street.
Officers responded, detained the man and confirmed his identity, according to the police department. They also determined he was the person 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 solely on that allegation.
Investigators instead referred the case to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether criminal charges should be filed.
ABC7 reported that the district attorney’s office confirmed it was reviewing the case. No charges had been filed as of Monday.
Eden told the outlet she was shocked that a man could allegedly chase her into a secured building and still leave after police identified him. She called for stronger laws and additional protections for residents.
UC Berkeley and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.