Police: Man with sword arrested after cutting officer's hand
According to preliminary reports, UCPD Tased the suspect prior to arrest.
Police in Berkeley arrested a man with a sword Wednesday night after he cut an officer's hand, sending him to the hospital, according to early reports.
Details were slim, but readers reported a large police presence at Willard Park at about 8:30 p.m.
"Major police action at Willard Park," one person told The Scanner. "20+ officers on site holding someone on the ground. Ambulance unloading a stretcher now."
Others asked The Scanner about posts on NextDoor describing "upwards of 14 police cars speeding down Telegraph or maybe something at Willard Park."
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It was unclear exactly how the incident began, but it may have started near College Avenue and Haste Street sometime before 8:20 p.m.
According to radio dispatches and unofficial sources, the University of California Police Department, which has limited staffing, called for emergency help from BPD as the incident unfolded.
City of Berkeley police officers rushed to help.
Sources said the suspect wielded a sword and possibly a second sharp weapon as police worked to detain him.
According to preliminary reports, UCPD Tased him prior to his arrest.
Officers ultimately used force, including less-lethal foam baton rounds, to make the arrest, authorities said.
Hillegass Avenue and Derby Street were both blocked during the response.
The Scanner has asked the University of California Police Department for information and will update this story if it responds.
Due to limited staffing, after-hours information from UCPD is often unavailable.
