Stolen Car Chase: Live Grenade Thrown, Arrest Made

On May 2, 28-year-old Carlos Kuceja led California Highway Patrol officers on a slow-speed chase in a stolen vehicle from Oakland into Berkeley, throwing a bag containing a live grenade with the pin partially removed out the window. The incident prompted emergency evacuations of nearby homes and businesses, while the UC Berkeley Explosive Ordnance Disposal team secured the grenade. After abandoning the stolen car at a dead end and fleeing on foot, Kuceja was apprehended by police. Authorities searched his multi-unit residence and closed nearby streets but found no additional explosives. Kuceja is being held at Santa Rita Jail with bail set at $490,000, facing multiple felony charges including possession of a destructive device, vehicle theft, and evading police. No injuries were reported, and residents returned once police declared the area safe.