Suspect Arrested After Reportedly Brandishing a Knife at a BART Passenger
– by Jim Emerson
UNION CITY, CA — Michael E. Sprague, a 45-year-old Union City resident, faces charges for allegedly brandishing a knife at a passenger on a train platform. BART police placed Sprague under arrest shortly after the passenger was accosted in Fremont on July 10.
Sprague was booked on suspicion of exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Upon further investigation, Sprague was charged on July 11 with exhibiting a deadly weapon PC 417(A). He was also charged with a special allegation for hate crime PC 422.7(A). Both are misdemeanor-level charges, and Sprague is no longer in custody.
The passenger was approached at Fremont BART Station. The passenger was threatened with a knife while waiting for a train, according to a prepared statement from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
Sprague allegedly shouted at the passenger to “go back to your own country” in a rude, angry or threatening manner. “The complaint contains a hate crime enhancement (because) of the victim’s actual characteristics and perceived characteristics with respect to race and ethnicity.”
This is the second time this year that Sprague has found himself in trouble with law enforcement. In May, Sprague was arrested for public intoxication, and resisting or attempting to deter or prevent an officer from performing their duty. He was also arrested for public intoxication in 2009, and sent to drug diversion program.
