Armed cops in tactical gear on Berkeley's Shattuck Ave. were local deputies

"Heavily armed sheriff's deputies in tactical gear and an armored vehicle served an arrest warrant and eviction notice in South Berkeley Tuesday morning, arousing curiosity in neighbors and passersby. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office's Civil Section, which typically handles evictions and other property issues, had tried to execute the same eviction, in the 2700 block of Shattuck, two weeks prior, according to an email from Sgt. Roberto Morales, a spokesperson for the agency."

"The target of the eviction refused to leave at the time, barricading the residence instead. Deputies from the agency's Special Response Unit, Crisis Intervention Unit and drone team came back Tuesday. After 90 minutes of prolonged negotiation, the person agreed to come out and was arrested. A video sent in by a reader. Video from the scene shows deputies in fatigues, armed with long guns and carrying what appear to be a saw and a ram walking along Shattuck."

"Several people who saw the deputies messaged Berkeleyside inquiring into what, exactly, they might have been doing. Berkeleyans have been on edge in recent months over reports of immigration agents operating in the city amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and deportation agenda. Information on the person arrested and the crimes he or she is alleged to have committed was not immediately available."

Heavily armed Alameda County sheriff's deputies in tactical gear and an armored vehicle served an arrest warrant and eviction notice in South Berkeley on Tuesday morning. The county's Civil Section had attempted the same eviction two weeks earlier, when the target refused to leave and barricaded the residence. Deputies from the Special Response Unit, Crisis Intervention Unit and drone team returned and conducted prolonged negotiations for 90 minutes before the person agreed to exit and was arrested. Video from the scene shows deputies carrying long guns, a saw and a ram. Neighbors expressed concern amid recent reports of immigration enforcement activity. Details about the arrested person and alleged crimes were not immediately available.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org