Mother and Son from Troubled Household Arrested for Drugs and Weapons
Photo: Oscar D Areas and Da,eris A. Alcala
BERKELEY — A mother and her son were arrested following gunfire outside their troubled household. Dameris A. Alcala, 59 and her 35-year-old son Oscar D. Areas, were booked on drug and weapons charges.
Officers closed 9 th Street between Virginia and Delaware streets to investigate shots reported on the night of September 20. They found bullet casings in the front yard at 1722 9 th Street.
This household has been a nexus of police activity involving illicit drugs and weapons for more than 30 years. Numerous persons with criminal records and gang activity have been associated with this address.
Taking no chances, a SWAT team was organized to assist Berkeley police. Two aerial drones were dispatched by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. Oakland police sent a K-9 unit to assist the Berkeley Police Special Response Team.
A perimeter was set up, including a drone monitoring the home from overhead. Ten family members were ordered by loudspeaker to wait outside as police prepared to search the residence.
A miniature drone flown inside verified that no one armed was inside. Once inside, officers found an unregistered loaded handgun, illicit drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
Alcala and Areas were taken into custody and later transported to Santa Rita Jail. Both are convicted felons with multiple prior arrests, but this is the first-time mother and son were arrested together.
Alcala was booked on seven weapons and drug-related charges. She remains in custody in lieu of $222,500 bond. Alcala has prior convictions for receiving stolen property and possession of controlled substances. She also has previous arrests for burglary and vehicle theft.
Likewise, Areas was also booked on seven weapons and drug-related charges, and his bond set at $222,500. He has a prior conviction for carrying a concealed firearm, and previous drug-related arrests.
