A 28-year-old California man, Carlos Kuceja, allegedly stole a vehicle and fled from police when officers attempted to stop him. What followed was a police chase that saw Kuceja allegedly throwing a bag containing a live grenade at the officers giving him chase. Fortunately, the grenade didn't explode, and Kuceja was arrested and charged.
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According to the
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Golden State Division, the incident took place on Friday, May 2, at around 3:30 p.m. CHP officers observed a stolen vehicle near 38th Street and Cerrito Avenue in Oakland and attempted to stop it. However, the driver, allegedly Kuceja, decided to flee, prompting a pursuit.As the pursuit led into the city of Berkeley and approached the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rose Street, Kuceja allegedly hurled a bag from the driver's window. The bag missed the pursuing CHP vehicle. However, a CHP officer who was present in the area managed to secure the bag. Once he looked inside it, he found a grenade with its safety pin partially removed.
The Berkeley Police Department was immediately informed of the grenade. Traffic was detoured from the area, and evacuations ensued. A bomb squad arrived at the scene and managed to secure the grenade. It was determined that the grenade was live and was capable of detonating.
Arrested And Charged
Meanwhile, CHP officers continued to pursue Kuceja until he stopped at a dead-end street.
"Pursuing officers located Kuceja as he attempted to abandon the vehicle and escape on foot," the CHP wrote. "After taking Kuceja into custody, officers secured the vehicle and began evacuating residents from the area."
A bomb team was able to determine that Kuceja's vehicle didn't have any other explosives inside, allowing residents to return to their homes at around 5 p.m.
Given the live grenade that was allegedly in possession of Kuceja, police thought it was possible that his California Street apartment also had explosives inside. CHP officers obtained a warrant and began searching his apartment.
"Other residents in the building were evacuated," the CHP detailed. "California Street was closed in front of the residence until the search was completed."
Eventually, authorities determined that Kuceja's house didn't have any other explosives inside. At around 10:30 p.m., residents were allowed to return to their units.
Carlos Kuceja was charged with possession and transportation of a destructive device, possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing from police, and resisting arrest.
