BERKELEY — A man who told a police officer that “I need to go jail!,” then allegedly punched the officer in the chest, got his wish early Tuesday, but not before leading police on two brief chases, including one that began as he was being delivered to the city jail.

The man, described by police as a 21-year-old sought on an active Lake County arrest warrant, was in city jail on suspicion of several charges, authorities said.

According to police, officers responded at 1:27 a.m. to a call from an advocacy program in the 1700 block of University Avenue after a man walked in and asked staff to call police for help with a problem.

After an officer arrived and parked his patrol vehicle, the man walked up to the officer quickly and said “I need to go to jail!” before assuming a fighting stance and punching the officer in the chest.

When the officer reached out to grab him, the man ran eastbound on University. Others officers joined a brief pursuit to the rear of a building enclosed by fencing in the 1800 block of University, police said.

Officers were able to arrest the man and took him to city jail. But when an officer opened the door to let him out, the handcuffed suspect wiggled out of the car and ran away into a department parking lot. Other officers caught the man before he got over fencing surround the lot.

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The man, identified as Michael Nicholson, was arrested on suspicion of battery on a peace officer, resisting arrest and attempting to escape jail, as well as on the active warrant.

Contact George Kelly at 4080-859-5180.