Son Allegedly Murders Mother, Stabs Two Other Victims, Steals a Car
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BERKELEY —A troubled unemployed man allegedly murdered his mother, stabbed his stepfather, stabbed another woman, and then stole a getaway car. Jonah J. Roper, 36, of Berkeley, is in custody at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail, ineligible for release on bond.
Officers responded to a family disturbance at 978 Overlook Road on the afternoon of September 23rd. The suspect’s mother, 60-year-old Maura C. Ghizzoni, was found suffering stab wounds, and she was soon pronounced dead.
The stepfather received treatment at the scene for hand lacerations. The third stabbing victim, an elderly woman neighbor, was admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.
Responding officers pursued the fleeing suspect in the stolen car. The car crashed near a freeway entrance at Gilman and Ninth streets, where Roper was arrested at 1:02 p.m. The suspect uses such aliases as Jesus El Señor.
Roper was booked on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, burglary, vehicle theft, evading an officer. He also faces child abuse charges. A teenage girl was at home during this family tragedy, but she was not injured.
Roper has a criminal history including prior convictions for robbery, engaging in lewd conduct, domestic violence, petty theft, and vandalism. Since 2014, he has been arrested 37 times for battery, robbery, vehicle theft, among other offenses.
He was convicted of bank robbery in 2012, and he had more problems with law enforcement dating back to his early adulthood.
