
A San Pablo man arrested just before Christmas, after authorities said he tried to break into a Berkeley home while residents were inside, has been scheduled for a pre-trial hearing later this month.
According to police, residents in a home in the 2900 block of Hillegass Avenue fought off a man who tried to break into their home on Dec. 24 just before 7:15 a.m.
Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats said the burglar first tried to get into the home by breaking a window in the front door, then trying to get through the door.
“The victim was able to barricade the door,” Coats said via email. “The victims were able to keep the suspect from gaining access to their home by striking the suspect several times, causing him injuries.”
The man sustained injuries to his head during the incident.

Police responded to the home, on Hillegass just north of Ashby Avenue, and detained the man, who was identified as Mohammed Safi Safieddine, 46, of San Pablo.
He was arrested on suspicion of burglary. (Read more about Berkeley burglaries here.)
Safieddine is no longer in custody and appears to have posted a $25,000 bond to secure his release.
He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Jan. 22 at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, Department 115, in downtown Oakland.
Berkeleyside provides exclusive coverage of many Berkeley crimes. Local photographer Rory Merry shared the image above with Berkeleyside. See more of Rory’s work at http://rorymerryphotos.com.
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