Crime & Safety
Suspect Sought in Child Molestation at Berkeley Marina
Following an intensive manhunt, police Tuesday night were still searching for a man suspected of molesting a young child in a restroom at the Berkeley Marina Tuesday afternoon, according to Berkeley police.
Berkeley police said Tuesday night that they are still looking for suspect who eluded a multi-agency search following a report of child molestation earlier Tuesday at the Berkeley Marina.
A citizen called police about 1:37 p.m. to report "that a young child was the victim of a sexual assault by a male adult suspect in a public bathroom in the Berkeley Marina," said a news release from Berkeley Police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss.
Berkeley Police moved quickly to established "containment of the Marina," and "visually inspected the interior of all cars leaving the area," Kusmiss said. Officers explained the reason to the people in the cars and asked for help with the investigation, she said.
A number of Berkeley police, joined by East Bay Regional Parks Police and helicopter and the Department of Fish and Game personnel, spent hours searching for the suspect on foot, motorcycles, bicycles, dirt bikes and patrol cars, Kusmiss said.
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"These investigations take time due to the age of the child and sensitive nature of these types of crimes," Kusmiss said. "Family members, members of BPD's Special Victims Unit and others are with the child."
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