What began as a routine traffic stop turned into a high-stakes public safety crisis when a man, suspected of driving a stolen car, allegedly threw a live grenade from his window during a slow-speed pursuit through the heart of Berkeley, California.
The terrifying moment took place Friday afternoon, rattling residents and law enforcement alike. Though no one was injured, the event left many asking the same question: how did it escalate so fast—and why did he have a grenade in the first place?
A Routine Stop Gone Wrong
The drama began just before 2 p.m. when California Highway Patrol officers tried to stop a stolen vehicle near 38th Street and Cerrito Avenue in Oakland. The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Carlos Kuceja, refused to comply and instead took officers on a low-speed chase through busy residential streets.
“We didn’t think much of it at first. Just another car trying to get away,” said one bystander in North Oakland. “But then it started to feel really serious.”
As the chase stretched into Berkeley, things took a dangerous turn.
A Grenade Hits the Pavement
Near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Rose Street, officers witnessed Kuceja toss a small black bag out of his car window. What they didn’t know at the time was that it contained a live grenade—with the safety pin partially removed.
“It could have gone off at any second,” said one officer who helped secure the scene. “It was a miracle no one was hurt.”
A CHP officer carefully retrieved the bag, immediately called for the bomb squad, and requested backup from Berkeley police and the UC Berkeley explosive ordnance disposal team. Nearby homes and businesses were evacuated. Roads were closed. Tension ran high.
“We were told to leave our home immediately,” said one resident. “No idea what was going on—just that it was dangerous and real.”
The Chase Ends, But the Fear Lingers
While the bomb squad dealt with the grenade, the chase continued for several more blocks. Kuceja eventually turned onto a dead-end street, jumped out of the stolen car, and tried to run.
But officers were quick. He was tackled and arrested without further incident.
Authorities then turned their attention to the vehicle and the surrounding area, fearing he might have had more explosives. None were found, but out of an abundance of caution, nearby homes were evacuated again as law enforcement searched his last known residence.
What Comes Next
Kuceja is now facing a long list of serious charges, including possession of a destructive device, fleeing law enforcement, and possession of a stolen vehicle. He remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail, with bail set at $490,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
What’s still unclear is where the grenade came from—or what Kuceja planned to do with it.
“This isn’t something you expect to see, even in a police chase,” said one investigator. “We’re working with federal agencies now to understand how he got it.”
Community Still Shaken
The Berkeley community, already uneasy after recent crime spikes, is now left dealing with the shock of what could have been a devastating explosion in a residential area.
“We could’ve lost lives,” said one mother who had just picked up her kids from daycare down the block. “It makes you rethink everything. We’ve had car chases before, but this? A grenade?”
For the officers involved, it was a day of split-second decisions and tremendous risk. And for many in the neighborhood, it was a frightening reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous a single moment can become.
A Story Still Unfolding
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking anyone with additional information about Kuceja or how he obtained the grenade to come forward.
In the meantime, residents are trying to move on from a day they won’t soon forget.
“We were lucky,” one neighbor said. “But it never should’ve happened in the first place.”
