Photo: Raymond A. Rodriguez
BERKELEY — A pizza deliveryman on parole is in custody again. Raymond A. Rodriguez, 27 of Oakland, was arrested for six weapons-related charges and hit and run.
An officer attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle making a racket near the Berkeley/Albany city limits. The vehicle was traveling south along Fifth Street, before the driver turned around and headed north into Albany.
Upon entering a maze of small streets in the University Village neighborhood, the driver crashed into a parked car. A different Berkeley officer in the area investigating another matter witnessed the crash.
The driver ran away, pursued by an officer who saw him discard what turned out to be a loaded handgun. When the officer caught up, the driver identified as Rodriguez was detained for the hit and run collision.
Officers next located the discarded weapon, which Rodriguez is not allowed to possess, because he is a convicted felon.
He was arrested January 12 at 9:50 p.m. and booked into Santa Rita Jail on the following day. Bond for release was set at $55,000.
Rodriguez faces multiple charges for carrying a concealed unregistered loaded firearm, and ammunition. Additional charges include addict in possession of a firearm, felony parole violation and resisting an officer.
Rodriguez was arrested four times in December 2019 for assault with a deadly weapon, battery, robbery, and vehicle theft. He was also arrested for burglaries and robberies in 2015 and 2016.
He has served time in San Quentin State Prison and county jail for prior criminal convictions.
