Homeless Man Allegedly Beats a Customer Unconscious at Piedmont Ace Hardware
Above: Stock Image
PIEDMONT — A homeless man allegedly assaulted an elderly customer at Ace Hardware and tried to steal a police car. The attack occurred on Grand Avenue in Piedmont a small city completely encircled by Oakland. The suspect has an extensive criminal record.
Willie Gomer, 41, who frequents Piedmont, is in custody at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail, ineligible for release on bond. Piedmont PD arrested Gomer on April 26 at 4:43 p.m., following two subsequent altercations with police.
The violence that day began inside Ace Hardware, where an elderly customer got beaten unconscious. The assailant fled to a nearby garden center, where officers attempted to detain him.
In a prepared statement Piedmont police said. “He refused to obey commands and showed symptoms of being under the influence of a drug or narcotic. The suspect initiated a physical confrontation with officers.” One officer sustained injuries.
Despite the use of pepper spray and a taser the suspect fled from police. Gomer allegedly forced his way into a nearby home and threatened the resident before he ran outside again. A short distance away, Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers confronted the suspect.
Gomer next allegedly jumped into an unoccupied police car. Bowers entered the car to prevent him from fleeing again. Gomer allegedly attacked Bowers. Additional officers arrived on the scene who removed the suspect from the car. A security guard assisted Piedmont PD.
Gomer faces the following charges:
• Assault with great bodily injury
• Causing injury to an elder adult
• Battery with serious bodily injury
• Battery of an officer
• Obstructing an officer
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Carjacking
• Possession of a controlled substance
Gomer has prior arrests for numerous offenses, including burglary, drug offenses, kidnapping involving a carjacking, robbery, and more. He was on parole at the time of his latest arrest. The elderly victim and officer were both taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
– By Jim Emerson
