Rape at Berkeley Way housing complex under investigation
Suspect Charles Bridges was not a resident of the complex but had access to an apartment there, authorities said.
Police arrested a man Sunday in downtown Berkeley in connection with a report of rape at a large affordable and supportive housing complex.
Authorities identified the suspect as Charles Bridges, 37.
Bridges was not a resident of the housing complex, in the 2000 block of Berkeley Way, but had access to an apartment there, authorities said.
A woman in her 30s called police at about 12:50 p.m. Sunday, just after the assault happened, to make a report, BPD said.
Authorities said Bridges, an acquaintance, had pulled her into an apartment where he sexually assaulted her.
According to booking records, police arrested him on suspicion of false imprisonment, kidnap to commit rape, rape and other felony sex crimes.
Bridges is set for arraignment Wednesday at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
He is being held without bail, according to booking records.
There have been at least 125 sex crime reports in Berkeley this year, a 3% increase over last year, according to BPD data.
It's one of the only crime types to see an increase in Berkeley in 2025.
According to a project website for the Berkeley Way housing complex, the property has "two side-by-side developments: Berkeley Way Apartments with 89 affordable homes and services for low and very low-income families; and Insight Housing’s The Hope Center, with 53 permanent supportive housing apartments, a 32-bed homeless shelter, 12 transitional beds for homeless veterans, a community kitchen and wrap-around services for mental health, substance abuse, job training and social activities."
