Homeless Man with a Violent History Arrested for Attacking 3 Individuals
Photo: Stanley McGraw Jr.
BERKELEY — A homeless man with a violent history was arrested last week for allegedly attacking three individuals in two hours. This marks the 25th time he has been arrested for assaults and batteries in Alameda County since 2013.
A series of three unprovoked attacks occurred in rapid succession in downtown Berkeley on August 14. None of the victims was seriously injured.
The first attack occurred at 11:44 a.m. A 20-year-old woman was sitting inside the Paris Baguette café located at 2150 Shattuck Avenue. She was working on a laptop computer when a man came inside and sat down at her table.
The man immediately reached towards her phone, prompting the woman to stand up and collect her belongings. She began to move away, when suddenly he punched her in the face. Then he fled.
A second attack happened at 1:19 p.m. A 36-year-old man was walking near Shattuck Avenue and Center Street. He was taken by surprise when a man suddenly punched him on the side of his head. Again, the suspect ran away.
The third attack occurred at 1:36 p.m. A 33-year-old woman was working behind the counter at Café Mezzo at 2422 Telegraph Avenue. A man entered and demanded that she give him some water.
She gave him water and requested that he leave the premises, but he refused. She attempted to phone the police, but the man knocked the phone out of her hand.
When she reached down to the floor to pick up the phone the man stomped on her hand. Before leaving the café, the suspect punched her.
Officers investigating these attacks arrested 39-year-old Stanley McGraw, Jr. on August 16. McGraw remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $140,000 bond.
McGraw is charged with assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, among other offenses. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 26 for a plea hearing.
