Man Who Allegedly Threw Hammer At Striking BART Workers Pleads Not Guilty

A San Francisco man who allegedly threw a hammer at striking BART workers in Daly City on Monday morning has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges in San Mateo County Superior Court, prosecutors said.

Vincent Matteucci, 39, is accused of hurling the hammer at workers as they picketed during the fourth day of their strike. Trains began running again Tuesday morning after a tentative agreement was reached.

According to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, Matteucci and an unidentified man were in a parking lot near the Daly City BART station when BART workers reported hearing one of the men yell, “Get your asses back to work!”

Matteucci, who was identified by three witnesses, then allegedly threw the hammer, which landed about 15 feet away from the picketers, Wagstaffe said.

The striking workers called 911, and when police arrived they found a “wood-handled metal straight pick” sticking out of Matteucci’s pocket, according to the district attorney’s office.

Matteucci, who remains in custody on $25,000 bail, will return to court Nov. 4 for a preliminary hearing.

He is being charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, and a misdemeanor charge of brandishing a deadly weapon, prosecutors said. He has asked for a court-appointed attorney.

Aimee Lewis Strain, Bay City News

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