Victim was kicked out of her Wheelchair
WILLITS—The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office arrested 71-year-old Willits resident Joel Berkowitz after it was discovered that he had got into an argument with his roommate.
On Tuesday Evening, June 17, Deputies with the Mendocino County Sheriff Office were called to the 2200 block of Oriole Lane in regards of an argument that was heard in the area.
When deputies arrived, they heard a women’s voice yelling for help. The Deputies proceeded to the back of the house and found the female on her back porch sitting on the ground next to her wheelchair.
The victim told investigating deputies that her roommate Joel Berkowitz had just walked out to the back porch where she was sitting and began striking her in the face and then he kicked her out of her wheelchair and left her on the ground.
The female victim also told the deputies that Mr. Berkowitz had threatened her by telling her that he was going to kill her. The statement by Mr. Berkowitz left the victim fearing for her life.
“The call came to us as a unprovoked attack with an intoxicated suspect with a temper.” Mendocino County Sheriff’s Captain Greg Van Patten said. “She did not require medical treatment. However deputies did make note of redness around one eye.”
Deputies searched the house for the suspect and found him in his room lying on the floor extremely intoxicated. Berkowitz was arrested without incident and was transported to the Mendocino County Jail.
Berkowitz now faces charges of threats to commit a crime resulting in death or great bodily harm or injury. His bail was been as at 20,000.00.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is asking that if anyone has any information on this incident to call the sheriff’s Department at 1-707-459-6111
