For Immediate Release: February 23, 2021
A Berkeley man is in police custody after he made alleged criminal threats on social media. Oakland Police Investigators received information from a media partner regarding the disturbing remarks towards members of the Asian community. OPD investigators immediately launched a criminal investigation into this matter. Investigators confirmed the threatening posts and hateful speech. OPD identified the individual responsible for these threats and hateful posts and prepared arrest warrants for this individual.
The individual was safely taken into custody Monday when he reported for a court appearance. He was interviewed and booked into jail for criminal threats involving hate crimes, a probation violation, and weapons charges. The man is being held without bail.
OPD is providing the facts of this case to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for their consideration in charging the individual for criminal threats involving hate crimes.
The Oakland Police Department takes all hate crimes, hate speech and threats against any member of our diverse and inclusive community seriously. We ask the community to stand with us as we unite against hate!
We are dedicated to serving our community and we have a task force to investigate any claims of a hate crime in the City of Oakland. If a community member is a victim of, or a witness to, what they believe to be a hate crime, we encourage them to call the OPD Hate Crime tipline at (510) 637-4283 or the Department’s non-emergency phone number at (510) 777-3333.
This tipline provides a direct reporting tool for victims and witnesses of hate crimes. Messages left on the hotline are checked daily by OPD staff and will be returned as soon as possible.
Background:
On February 11, 2021, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) received tips from our media partners about troubling statements directed towards the Asian community on social media. OPD immediately launched an investigation regarding this activity on social media platforms.
During our investigation, we were able to identify a person of interest. That individual is a resident of Berkeley and is known to OPD as they were recently arrested on a firearm charge earlier this year.
Investigators were able to obtain a warrant for the person’s arrest. Thanks to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, the Alameda County Probation Department, and resources within OPD, the individual was safely taken into custody. The individual was arrested for an outstanding warrant related to the investigation and additional charges.