Mugshot Released of Man Accused of Chasing UC Berkeley Student to Apartment
Kenneth Kenji Stine, a 50-year-old homeless man accused of pursuing a UC Berkeley student into her off-campus apartment building, was booked into jail on September 22, 2026, on an unrelated outstanding warrant, according to local law enforcement and regional reporting. The arrest followed an online firestorm sparked by security footage of the September 15 incident shared widely on TikTok.
The September 15 Incident and Viral Surveillance Footage
The sequence of events began around 8 p.m. on September 15, 2026, when UC Berkeley student Eden Winograd was walking her dog near her residence on the 1900 block of Walnut Street in Berkeley, California, as reported by the New York Post. According to Winograd’s accounts provided to local media, Stine ran toward her, prompting a frantic retreat back to her off-campus apartment building.
Security footage captured Stine scaling a locked security gate seconds after Winograd gained entry. “My heart sank. “I don’t want to be chased and have to watch someone claw their way up a wall to get into where I live.” Winograd ultimately escaped into an elevator, reaching her apartment safely.”
Response times by the Berkeley Police Department drew immediate criticism. According to a department statement cited by the New York Post, officers took more than an hour to respond to the initial call because resources were tied up with higher-priority incidents, including a missing autistic child and a domestic violence call.
Police Detention, Release, and the Public Outcry
The following evening, Winograd spotted Stine sleeping near Berkeley Way and Walnut Street and contacted the authorities again. Berkeley police officers detained, identified, and spoke with Stine before releasing him. At the time, law enforcement treated the incident as misdemeanor trespassing and forwarded the case file for prosecutorial review.
Frustrated by the release, Winograd published edited surveillance footage on TikTok, including a slowed-down segment that appeared to show Stine retrieving an object from his pocket. The video quickly amassed over two million views, fueling intense public scrutiny. Investigators subsequently stated that while they could establish Stine ran in Winograd’s direction prior to entering the building, they could not definitively confirm he was actively chasing her.
For residents facing safety concerns in shared residential complexes, ensuring physical security infrastructure remains critical.
Unusual Online Footprint and Subsequent Arrest
As the case gained widespread traction, details regarding Stine’s digital footprint emerged. According to public social media posts reviewed during the investigation, Stine wrote on Facebook about continuously hearing voices in his head, which he attributed in 2021 to a purported secret DARPA program capable of reading and transmitting thoughts. Additionally, YouTube videos showed Stine referring to himself as “God.”
On September 22, 2026, Berkeley police officers located Stine once more and discovered an active, unrelated outstanding warrant. That discovery provided the legal foundation necessary to arrest and book him into jail, where he remains held while the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office evaluates whether to file new charges stemming from the apartment confrontation.
When legal challenges and municipal safety incidents intersect with complex investigative procedures, affected individuals often seek professional counsel.
Winograd has continued to condemn the initial municipal and police response, maintaining that systemic gaps leave residents vulnerable.