Woman sexually assaulted at Berkeley youth shelter, police say

Berkeley police say they arrested a man staying at a youth shelter after a reported series of sexual assaults against a woman also staying there.

Fire department personnel who attended the shelter in the 1700 block of University Avenue for a medical call Monday reported the alleged incidents, police said. Officers spoke with the alleged victim, and police said a suspect grabbed or touched her in a sexual manner on three occasions in the previous few days.

“He grabbed her crotch, he grabbed her behind,” said Berkeley Police Department spokesman Officer Byron White.

Antonio Missail, 18, with no address and staying at the shelter, was located and arrested at the facility. “The officers went and found him in the shelter and took him into custody,” White said.

Missail faces charges of sexual battery, kidnapping and false imprisonment. During the suspected assaults, the victim “wasn’t free to leave,” White said.

Missail was still in custody Thursday, but it was unclear Sunday whether he remained in jail.

White said the police investigation was ongoing, and he urged anyone with information to contact the department. “There is a possibility that there may be other victims,” he said.