Attempted murder charges filed after man set on fire in Berkeley
Berkeley police detectives arrested Bradley Marcrum, 24, on Wednesday morning during a warrant operation, according to booking records.
A man alleged to have set a 68-year-old stranger on fire in Berkeley last week has now been charged with attempted murder, mayhem and elder abuse, court papers show.
The Alameda County district attorney's office charged Bradley Marcrum with all three felony counts on Thursday afternoon, according to court records online.
Marcrum, 24, has also been charged with special allegations related to great bodily injury, according to court records.
Police have said little about the random attack since it happened, but have been steadily working on the case.
Berkeley police detectives arrested Marcrum on Wednesday morning during a warrant operation, according to booking records.
Details about the arrest have not been available this week despite repeated inquiries, but police say they plan to provide more information soon.
On the night of the attack, June 28, police said a man poured gasoline on a 68-year-old stranger and lit him on fire before fleeing the scene.
The Berkeley Scanner
The incident happened near University Avenue and Bonar Street shortly after 8 p.m.
Investigating officers learned that witnesses heard some arguing just before the attack.
The older man was rushed to the hospital where he was held in critical condition.
No updates about his condition were available this week.
As of Thursday, Marcrum remained in custody and was being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
Several other arrests were listed in his booking record, including one related to carjacking, but no further information was immediately available about them.
Marcrum is scheduled for arraignment Friday at Wiley Manuel Courthouse.
The Scanner has asked BPD for more information, including a booking photograph, and will update this story if that is provided.
Editor's note: The victim is 68 years old, not 69, as BPD originally reported. This story has been updated.
Have questions about crime in Berkeley? Alert The Berkeley Scanner.
