Photo: Ricky Amos
EL CERRITO — A homeless man with a criminal history faces charges for battery for the second time this year. The suspect was formerly housed at a state prison and on supervised parole.
Ricky A. Amos, 56, who frequents El Cerrito and neighboring Richmond was taken into custody on April 13. Amos was transported and booked into Contra Costa County’s Martinez Detention Facility.
Amos allegedly followed a woman as she was driving into her garage and verbally harassed her. He is also accused of vandalizing the woman’s property. The victim phoned police after the man left her garage.
The incident occurred at a residence located near the intersection of Potrero Avenue and Everett Street. El Cerrito police received a 911 call from the victim at 9:25 a.m.
Responding officers arrived on the scene within two minutes. Amos who is a registered sex offender was apprehended nearby.
Police are treating this incident as a hate crime. The victim who is Asian says the man shouted race-based insults and spat in her face.
In a prepared statement El Cerrito police said. Charges will be pursued for battery and vandalism with a hate crime enhancement. Amos also faces charges for being out of compliance with sex offender registration requirements, and parole violation.
In January, Amos was arrested by BART police for battery while on public transportation. He has additional arrests on his record dating back to 2005.
