Full Notification

The ECPD has maintained a commitment to solving cold cases. For the past year we have been actively investigating unsolved violent crimes over 10 years old. This sexual assault case was one that weighed heavily on many Officers who were working here when it happened. This violent home invasion sexual assault was investigated fully in 2005 but remained unsolved. However, scientific methods have improved, therefore the investigation was revisited.
In addition to revisiting DNA evidence, investigators were able to identify a possible suspect through leads in other cases. Combined with a new DNA test, Keith Asberry (8/24/84 from Richmond) was identified as the suspect in this case.
On February 14th, 2005, during the early evening hours, two females arrived home at an apartment in El Cerrito. Shortly after they entered their residence, there was a knock at the front door. When one of the victims opened the door, they were confronted by a suspect who was armed with a handgun. The suspect forced his way into the residence and walked the victims to their respective rooms at gunpoint demanding money and jewelry. Asberry then sexually assaulted one of the two females.
After the assault, he forced the victims from their apartment at gunpoint, demanded a key to their car and told them to get in it. After they refused numerous orders to get into the car, he realized they were not going to allow themselves to be kidnapped, and he then drove off in the victim’s vehicle. They immediately contacted a neighbor to call the ECPD.
Asberry, who is currently in-custody in Alameda County for other sexual assault cases, was formally charged for the El Cerrito case on October 20th, 2017. Asberry remains in custody and is being held without bail.
Anyone who has information about this case is asked to contact the El Cerrito PD Detective Unit at 510 215 4414 ext 40 or [email protected]