A convicted felon who fled from police during a traffic stop in West Berkeley on Thursday night has been arrested on suspicion of a range of violations, including drug possession for sales and carrying a loaded firearm in public, authorities said.
Rashee Domorris Alexander, 26, of Berkeley, was found hiding in a hole in a parking lot during the subsequent police search. The same man was arrested last year after fleeing from police near Ashby BART and ditching a gun along the way, authorities said at the time. (Berkeley Police subsequently described the hole as “a drainage pipe.”)
Two Berkeleyside readers noted a heavy police response Thursday night, including “patrol cars screaming at top speed,” with sirens blaring, south on San Pablo Avenue. Another reader reported “over 15 police cars with sirens, lights and all,” as well as helicopters overhead on Ashby Avenue west of San Pablo.
Berkeley Police Capt. Andrew Greenwood said Friday that officers had conducted a vehicle stop on a white Jeep at 9:17 p.m. near Ashby and Ninth Street.
Two officers tried to speak with the Jeep’s driver, who was “recognized as a current probationer and parolee,” Greenwood said via email. A female passenger was also in the car.
During the stop, the “driver suddenly fled on foot” east on Potter Street, then north on Ninth, before entering the Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) parking lot immediately to the east.
Police ultimately found Alexander, during a block search, “hiding in a hole underneath the tower inside the OSH parking lot,” Greenwood said. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Police searched Alexander’s vehicle and found a loaded Glock 21 pistol, a digital scale and several empty dime-sized ziplock bags, said Greenwood. A bag with about a half-ounce of suspected methamphetamine was located near the vehicle, along Alexander’s flight path.
Alexander “subsequently admitted that the gun and drugs belonged to him,” Greenwood said.
The passenger was released without incident and Alexander was booked into Berkeley Jail.
He was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a loaded firearm in public, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for sales, resisting arrest, probation violation and violation of Post Release Community Supervision.
Alexander was arrested last year in Berkeley when officers said he ran from police during an attempted investigative stop, and allegedly tossed a loaded handgun along the way.
According to the Alameda County sheriff’s department, Alexander was sentenced in 2009 on a range of charges, including illegal possession of an assault weapon.
He is being held at Berkeley Jail on bail of $195,000, and is scheduled for arraignment March 3 at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland.
Related:
Berkeley police arrest felon, find gun after short chase (02.22.13)
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