The pedestrian and bicycle overpass at the north end of Aquatic Park in Berkeley. Photo: Emilie Raguso
The north end of Aquatic Park in Berkeley. Photo: Emilie Raguso

Police arrested two men early Monday morning after they reportedly brandished knives and carjacked a motorist in Berkeley’s Aquatic Park.

Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats said authorities received a call at 3:10 a.m. Monday alerting them of the incident.

The victim, a man from Hayward, “reported that two suspects brandished knives at him and demanded his property. They also stole his vehicle,” Coats said.

Officers spotted the vehicle as they were responding to the scene, in the northern part of park, and tried to stop it. The driver fled from police with what Coats described as “a wanton disregard for public safety.”

The driver struck several parked vehicles and a city sign before both of the vehicle’s occupants fled on foot. Coats said Berkeley officers were able to apprehend the duo quickly.

Police arrested 24-year-old Idris Bashiruddin-Webb, a Berkeley resident. He was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, robbery and failure to yield, along with hit-and-run.

Also arrested was Andre Marshall, 18, of Oakland, on suspicion of carjacking and robbery.

Both men were scheduled for arraignment Wednesday afternoon. As of 5 p.m., both remained in custody, according to online records from the Alameda County sheriff’s department.

Bashiruddin-Webb was being held with a bail of $240,000, and Marshall with a bail of $200,000.

Have a question about a local public safety incident? Write to crime@berkeleyside.com. Photographs and videos are always appreciated. Read other crime stories published recently on Berkeleyside.

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Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist of the Year...