Carlos Kuceja of Berkeley has been arrested after throwing a grenade while attempting to flee from CHP officers in Berkeley.
Just after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, CHP officers assigned to the Golden Gate Division Crime Suppression Team observed a stolen vehicle near 38th Street and Cerrito Avenue in Oakland. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Kuceja fled, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit proceeded slowly through Oakland and entered the city of Berkeley. As the pursuit approached the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Rose Street in Berkeley, Kuceja was seen throwing a bag from the driver’s window. A CHP officer who was nearby but not involved in the pursuit immediately stopped and secured the bag. Upon looking inside, the officer observed what appeared to be a grenade with the safety pin partially removed.
Officers immediately notified the Berkeley Police Department of their discovery and requested assistance in securing the area. The UC, Berkeley, EOD team quickly responded and secured the grenade. Evacuations were lifted just after 5 p.m. Following the incident, EOD personnel examined the grenade and determined it to be live and capable of detonating.
A short time later, Kuceja attempted to abandon the vehicle and escape on foot. After taking Kuceja into custody, officers secured the vehicle and began evacuating residents from the area. The UCPD EOD Team responded to the pursuit’s termination point and determined no additional explosives were in the vehicle. Residents were allowed to return to their homes just after 5 p.m.
A search warrant was obtained for Kuceja’s residence, and other residents in the building were evacuated. At approximately 9:30 p.m., CHP officers were joined by the FBI and the UC Berkeley EOD Team, who searched the home and determined that no additional explosives were present. The house was cleared, and residents were allowed to return to their units at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Kuceja was booked on multiple felony counts, including possession of an explosive device, evading, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
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