Topline: Police say the grenade had the safety pin partially removed.
Published: May 6, 2025 7:30 am ET
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The grenade allegedly thrown from a fleeing vehicle by suspect Carlos Kuceja during a police chase. (via CHP)
BERKELEY, CA — Police say a man hurled a live grenade at officers during a vehicle pursuit in California.
Carlos Kuceja, 28, was arrested after throwing a grenade while attempting to flee from California Highway Patrol officers in Berkeley, according to a press release.
Just after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, CHP officers assigned to the Golden Gate Division Crime Suppression Team observed a stolen vehicle near 38th Street and Cerrito Avenue in Oakland.
When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Kuceja fled, and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit proceeded slowly through Oakland and entered the city of Berkeley. As the pursuit approached the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Rose Street in Berkeley, Kuceja was seen throwing a bag from the driver’s window, police said.
A CHP officer who was nearby but not involved in the pursuit immediately stopped and secured the bag. The officer looked inside and observed what appeared to be a grenade with the safety pin partially removed, according to police.
“Officers immediately notified the Berkeley Police Department of their discovery and requested assistance in securing the area. The UC, Berkeley, EOD team quickly responded and secured the grenade. Evacuations were lifted just after 5 p.m. Following the incident, EOD personnel examined the grenade and determined it to be live and capable of detonating,” the press release stated.
A short time later, Kuceja attempted to abandon the vehicle and escape on foot. After taking Kuceja into custody, officers secured the vehicle and began evacuating residents from the area.
No additional explosives were found in the vehicle.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes just after 5 p.m.
A search warrant was obtained for Kuceja’s residence, and other residents in the building were evacuated. At approximately 9:30 p.m., CHP officers were joined by the FBI and the UC Berkeley EOD Team, who searched the home and determined that no additional explosives were present.
The house was cleared, and residents were allowed to return to their units at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Kuceja was booked on multiple felony counts, including possession of an explosive device, evading, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Lobs Live Grenade in Bay Area Police Pursuit
Police say the grenade had the safety pin partially removed.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 6, 2025 7:30 am ET
The grenade allegedly thrown from a fleeing vehicle by suspect Carlos Kuceja during a police chase. (via CHP)
BERKELEY, CA — Police say a man hurled a live grenade at officers during a vehicle pursuit in California.
Carlos Kuceja, 28, was arrested after throwing a grenade while attempting to flee from California Highway Patrol officers in Berkeley, according to a press release.
Just after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, CHP officers assigned to the Golden Gate Division Crime Suppression Team observed a stolen vehicle near 38th Street and Cerrito Avenue in Oakland.
When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Kuceja fled, and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit proceeded slowly through Oakland and entered the city of Berkeley. As the pursuit approached the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Rose Street in Berkeley, Kuceja was seen throwing a bag from the driver’s window, police said.
A CHP officer who was nearby but not involved in the pursuit immediately stopped and secured the bag. The officer looked inside and observed what appeared to be a grenade with the safety pin partially removed, according to police.
“Officers immediately notified the Berkeley Police Department of their discovery and requested assistance in securing the area. The UC, Berkeley, EOD team quickly responded and secured the grenade. Evacuations were lifted just after 5 p.m. Following the incident, EOD personnel examined the grenade and determined it to be live and capable of detonating,” the press release stated.
A short time later, Kuceja attempted to abandon the vehicle and escape on foot. After taking Kuceja into custody, officers secured the vehicle and began evacuating residents from the area.
No additional explosives were found in the vehicle.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes just after 5 p.m.
A search warrant was obtained for Kuceja’s residence, and other residents in the building were evacuated. At approximately 9:30 p.m., CHP officers were joined by the FBI and the UC Berkeley EOD Team, who searched the home and determined that no additional explosives were present.
The house was cleared, and residents were allowed to return to their units at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Kuceja was booked on multiple felony counts, including possession of an explosive device, evading, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Lobs Live Grenade in Bay Area Police Pursuit
Police say the grenade had the safety pin partially removed.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 6, 2025 7:30 am ET
The grenade allegedly thrown from a fleeing vehicle by suspect Carlos Kuceja during a police chase. (via CHP)
BERKELEY, CA — Police say a man hurled a live grenade at officers during a vehicle pursuit in California.
Carlos Kuceja, 28, was arrested after throwing a grenade while attempting to flee from California Highway Patrol officers in Berkeley, according to a press release.
Just after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, CHP officers assigned to the Golden Gate Division Crime Suppression Team observed a stolen vehicle near 38th Street and Cerrito Avenue in Oakland.
When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Kuceja fled, and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit proceeded slowly through Oakland and entered the city of Berkeley. As the pursuit approached the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Rose Street in Berkeley, Kuceja was seen throwing a bag from the driver’s window, police said.
A CHP officer who was nearby but not involved in the pursuit immediately stopped and secured the bag. The officer looked inside and observed what appeared to be a grenade with the safety pin partially removed, according to police.
“Officers immediately notified the Berkeley Police Department of their discovery and requested assistance in securing the area. The UC, Berkeley, EOD team quickly responded and secured the grenade. Evacuations were lifted just after 5 p.m. Following the incident, EOD personnel examined the grenade and determined it to be live and capable of detonating,” the press release stated.
A short time later, Kuceja attempted to abandon the vehicle and escape on foot. After taking Kuceja into custody, officers secured the vehicle and began evacuating residents from the area.
No additional explosives were found in the vehicle.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes just after 5 p.m.
A search warrant was obtained for Kuceja’s residence, and other residents in the building were evacuated. At approximately 9:30 p.m., CHP officers were joined by the FBI and the UC Berkeley EOD Team, who searched the home and determined that no additional explosives were present.
The house was cleared, and residents were allowed to return to their units at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Kuceja was booked on multiple felony counts, including possession of an explosive device, evading, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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