Welcome to Arrest Stories. Former KTVU news anchor Frank Somerville was arrested Monday evening in Oakland on battery charges following a violent altercation with his daughter that left both parties injured. Here's what may have happened.
Officers responded to the one thousand block of Arlington Avenue just before five forty-five Monday evening after receiving reports of a physical assault inside a residence. According to police reports, sixty-seven-year-old Somerville got into a heated confrontation with his daughter over money when she allegedly came to his home uninvited demanding cash.
The situation escalated quickly when the daughter reportedly refused to leave the premises. Somerville stated he tried to restrain her when she became out of control, leading to what he described as a full-fledged fight. During the struggle, his daughter allegedly grabbed his phone, intensifying the physical altercation.
After the daughter left the Arlington Avenue residence, she relocated to her mother's home in West Oakland and contacted police. Meanwhile, Somerville called his ex-wife and headed to the same West Oakland location where his daughter had gone.
When officers arrived to speak with the alleged victim, Somerville appeared at the scene and was immediately taken into custody. Both parties sustained injuries during the confrontation, with Somerville later posting photos of his bloodied face on social media.
The former news anchor, who previously earned six hundred twenty thousand dollars annually at KTVU, maintains his innocence regarding the battery charges. He claimed sobriety for nine months following a seventy-five-day rehabilitation stint in Calistoga after relapsing last November.
This marks another legal setback for Somerville, whose broadcasting career collapsed after a slurred speech incident attributed to accidentally misusing Ambien. He faced similar charges in Berkeley last June involving family confrontations.
Somerville posted bail and was released Tuesday morning around eight thirty. Oakland Police are requesting anyone with information contact their Criminal Investigations Division at five one zero two three eight three four two six.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.