Second Suspect in Berkeley Killing Arrested

The alleged triggerman in Berkeley's first murder of this year has been arrested and jailed, according to Berkeley police.

Maurice Thomas, 21 – the second of two suspects wanted in the Feb. 4 daytime killing of Zontee Jones, 34, at San Pablo Avenue and Delaware Street – was arrested July 4 in San Diego, and was transferred on July 15 to Alameda County and jailed at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, according Berkeley Police Officer Jennifer Coats.

Thomas is being held without bail on a murder charge pending a plea-entering hearing on Aug. 5 in Alameda County Superior Court, according the Alameda County Sheriff's Department.

The other suspect in the case, Jevon Calland, 21, was arrested June 16 and also is being held without bail on murder charges at Santa Rita, according the sheriff's department records.

Court papers filed by Berkeley police said Thomas fired the gun that killed Jones.

Thomas was arrested on drug charges in San Diego, where it was discovered that he was wanted in the Berkeley homicide, according to a San Diego police lieutenant quoted by Berkeleyside.

Berkeley has had one other homicide so far this year. Jermaine Davis, 26, was gunned down in the 1800 block of Derby Street on July 17. Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact the police Homicide Detail at (510) 981-5741 or the 24-hour police non-emergency number (510) 981-5900. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Bay Area Crimes Stoppers (BACS) at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

For other police-related news on Berkeley Patch, see our "Police and Fire" section.