The man stole extra underwear and watched the women take a shower, police said
A real-life nightmare unfolded in a house close to UC Berkeley over Halloween weekend: A man on skis reported to authorities that they had just entered bedrooms and staged nightly shows.
A woman woke up to a dark figure next to her bed, according to Berkeley Police Officer Byron White. Another was taking a shower when he was targeted by the tall tom, police said.
Authorities said the terrifying events took place from about 3 to 6:35 AM on November 1, hours after the campus was busy celebrating Halloween. The intruder then left the scene wearing stolen underwear and pizza, White said.
Officials recently arrested 45-year-old Courtneynney Alford of Dublin in connection with the Sorority House Break-in, according to the Berkeley Police Department. When they searched the suspect’s home, they found offensive parts, high-quality ammunition magazines and more than 900 rounds of ammunition.
On Thursday, Alford was charged with burglary, battery, invasion of privacy, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon and trespassing, according to court records. He admitted the crimes of all those who testified against him.
Alford has an extensive criminal record in Alameda County, with convictions dating back to 1998. Uvesheke was found guilty of burglary, grand larceny, assault with deadly force, among peace crimes, among other crimes.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd acts against a child under 14 against him in March 2024, according to court records. That case remains open.
“He is a person known to the Berkeley Police Department well enough that an officer recognized him from one” of the surveillance photos, White said.
On Nov. 1, Bermeley police responded to a call at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Battle Street about a man seen inside a women’s bedroom.
“This lady slept in her bed, along with three other roommates, and she woke up and there was this person in her room,” said the white man. “It’s amazing and scary.”
Security video from the home showed the suspect walking in and out of the building, at one point returning with new clothes and a ski mask, police said.
White said investigators have spoken with at least three victims. But he noted that about 65 women lived in the house, all of whom had been victims of Alford’s alleged actions.
“You just know that someone used to be inside a home like that,” said the officer, entering the bedroom, taking the hats, watching to see if people are gone or not, it shakes your sense of security. “
A UC Berkeley spokesperson said the school was aware of the incident on campus and that a student affairs group was providing the organization.
Berkeley police used automatic license plate readers to track Alford’s vehicle in the area before and after the burglary. They found him in Castro Valley on Wednesday and arrested him.
He is being held at Santa Rita Prison in Dublin in lieu of $275,000 bail and is due back in court on November 18.
