Online video of a University of California Police officer in Berkeley who ticketed a hot dog vendor outside a Cal football game Saturday, and seized $60 from the man’s wallet, has prompted an outpouring of support for the vendor and a backlash against the officer.
UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof offered a brief statement Sunday evening: “We are aware of the incident. The officer was tasked with enforcing violations related to vending without a permit on campus. UCPD is looking into the matter.”
Los Angeles resident, and UC Berkeley alumnus, Martin Flores posted the video online just before 5:40 p.m. Saturday. He attended the football game that day with his children, according to his posts online. In the video, Flores questions UC Police Officer Sean Aranas about why he has to take the hot dog vendor’s money. Flores was buying hot dogs from the vendor when police interrupted the transaction, he wrote.
The original video had, as of Monday morning, been viewed 11 million times -- and attracted significant attention and comments online. Flores sought out the vendor, who has publicly been identified only as “Juan,” as interest in the story grew along with pledges of support. Flores posted on Facebook shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday that he had found “Juan,” and said they were preparing to be interviewed by Telemundo in San Francisco.
According to online records from UCPD, the vendor was ticketed at Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way, across from Memorial Stadium where the football game took place, just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The 34-year-old man got a ticket related to vending without a license, which is a violation of the Berkeley Municipal Code. It was the only such citation for the day, which was the first home game of the season. UCPD spokeswoman Sgt. Sabrina Reich said Monday that the $60 was “seized as suspected proceeds of the violation and booked into evidence.” Reich said three other people were detained on suspicion of vending without a license, but they were released with a warning.