Berkeley police seize guns after dispute over boy with ball

Authorities in Berkeley seized nine firearms this week from a local man who threatened to shoot "anyone that comes onto the property" after a neighborhood boy showed up to find his ball, police report.

Berkeley police arrested 54-year-old Michael Aschoff on Monday evening on a warrant stemming from the dispute and found a loaded gun in his waistband, authorities said in response to a Scanner inquiry.

Aschoff has since posted bail and is no longer in custody, according to booking records.

The situation began Thursday when a 9-year-old boy whose family rents a home in the neighborhood went onto Aschoff's property to find a ball he'd been playing with, police said.

The same day, Aschoff sent an email to the family's landlord saying "no one was allowed on his property under any circumstances," and threatening to shoot anyone who did, according to Berkeley police.

The email also mentioned the boy who had turned up on Aschoff's property.

Berkeley police officers then got in touch with Aschoff "about the threatening email," BPD said, "but the conversation went poorly."

Concerned that Aschoff might be dangerous, BPD secured a gun violence restraining order, which police agencies and other authorities can seek "if they think someone is dangerous and should be restricted from having or buying firearms and ammunition."

Michael Aschoff. BPD

In the days that followed, police also got a search warrant for Aschoff's home, in the 1600 block of Cornell Avenue, and a warrant for his arrest in relation to the alleged threats, police said.

After arresting Aschoff and finding his loaded gun Monday evening, they also searched his home, Berkeley police said.

The search turned up nine firearms, including an AR-pistol-style rifle as well as a shotgun and six pistols.

Aschoff was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a high-capacity magazine, illegal possession of an assault rifle and criminal threats.

As of Tuesday afternoon, he was no longer in custody. His first court date was not available as a result.

Correction: Police originally said Aschoff was 34. He is actually 54. The story has been fixed.