By Jim Emerson
BERKELEY — A homeless man arrested recently faces charges for allegedly assaulting a
downtown street vendor.
Harris J. Wilson, 26, was booked into Alameda County Santa Rita
Jail. Wilson is a frequent troublemaker who has been arrested six times since 2022.
A vendor working on Telegraph Avenue sustained minor injuries on June 20, when the
suspect confronted him.
Wilson allegedly approached the victim, hit him with a metal pole and
then threw the pole at him, before walking away.
This assault was apparently unprovoked.
The victim saw the suspect again two days later walking along Telegraph Avenue, and
phoned Berkeley police. Responding officers placed Wilson under arrest on June 22 at 4:18
p.m.
Wilson was reportedly uncooperative and spat at officers before he was taken into custody.
Wilson allegedly bit one officer and punched a second officer. He was subdued when officers
placed a “spit hood” over his head designed to prevent biting and spitting.
As a consequence of his actions, Wilson remains in custody with a loss of privileges for
communication and visits until August 16.
Charges filed against Wilson include three felonies for assault, battery with injury, and use of
a deadly weapon. In addition, Wilson is charged with misdemeanors for
delaying/obstructing/resisting an officer.
Wilson was arrested twice in April for exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm, and
making threats of violence. One of those incidents escalated to an assault with a deadly
weapon likely to produce great bodily injury.
In July 2024, Wilson was arrested for exhibiting a deadly weapon and making threats of
violence. Wilson was arrested in May 2024 for trespassing on University of California
property. He was arrested in 2022 in connection with a burglary.
