Berkeley employee arrested after workplace violence threats
Authorities said the worker had made threats of gun violence and also made it clear he had access to a firearm.
A city of Berkeley employee who reportedly made threats of workplace violence was arrested Monday at his Concord home, The Scanner has learned.
Just before noon Monday, the city issued an email alert to all workers, advising them to "stay aware" following threats of workplace violence toward colleagues by a Berkeley Public Works employee.
Authorities said the worker had made threats of gun violence and also made it clear he had access to a firearm.
Scroll down for an update to the story.
The Scanner was able to determine that Berkeley police had served a warrant at the worker's home and arrested him Monday afternoon.
A community member told The Scanner that the city's Corporation Yard, at 1326 Allston Way, had been locked down all day due to concerns about the disgruntled worker.
The community member said police were stationed outside the front gate of the Corp Yard from about 6:30 or 7 a.m. to 1:30 or 2 p.m. and that the back gate had been locked.
According to the city email, which The Scanner reviewed, Berkeley police had quickly launched an investigation into the threats Monday morning and increased patrols around city buildings.
"City security guards also have been alerted," City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley wrote. "The City Manager's Office, the City Attorney's Office and HR are working together to address the situation."
Williams-Ridley urged all city employees, "especially those at the Corp Yard," to keep an eye on their surroundings and be careful not to let unauthorized individuals inside.
She also wrote that anyone who saw the Public Works staffer, whose name and photograph were included in the email, should call 911.
"We understand that such situations can be distressing, and the well-being of our employees is our main concern," Williams-Ridley wrote.
The Scanner is withholding the worker's name at this time pending the booking process.
TBS has asked the city of Berkeley for additional information and will update this story when it becomes available.
Update, 10:35 p.m. City of Berkeley employee Pat Urdahl, 56, is now in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, according to online booking records.
Berkeley police recovered a gun during his arrest in Concord, authorities said.
Urdahl was arrested Monday in connection with two separate offenses, according to jail records: (1) being a felon in possession of a firearm and making felony threats; and (2) shooting in an occupied dwelling, being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition and possessing a controlled substance while armed.
Urdahl is being held on a combined bail of $280,000, according to booking records.
He has no prior criminal cases in Alameda County.
He is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
Emilie Raguso
