FREMONT — A Union City robbery suspect who escaped a Fremont courtroom Monday afternoon remained on the loose Tuesday, authorities said.
An Alameda County sheriff’s sergeant suffered a knee injury falling down a stairwell during a struggle with the suspect, Darryl Bernard, 30, authorities said.
The escape happened about 2:15 p.m. Monday from a courtroom at the Fremont Hall of Justice, 39439 Paseo Parkway.
Bernard was being arraigned on robbery charges stemming from a Union City case. Since he had been initially booked at the Fremont Police Department Jail, he was not in jail attire but in civilian clothing, authorities said.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said Tuesday the judge had just denied Bernard’s release when he vaulted over a small wall in the prisoner holding area and ran from the courtroom. An attempt to automatically lock the courtroom doors before Bernard could get out did not happen in time, Kelly said.
Bernard was pursued out of the courtroom and into a stairwell by a sheriff’s deputy and sergeant, who got into a struggle with Bernard, Kelly said.
An attempt to shoot Bernard with a Taser was unsuccessful, and during the struggle the sergeant fell down the stairwell injuring a knee, Kelly said.
Bernard was able to run outside the building and disappear. Sheriff’s deputies and Fremont police searched the area but could not find him.
No details were immediately available about the robbery. Authorities said Bernard is also on probation for a domestic violence conviction. A warrant charging him with escape and assault on a police officer has been issued, Kelly said.
Anyone who sees Bernard should call 911. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 510-667-3636
Check back for updates.