Truck thief runs down security officer, leads police on wild chase
Ontario CA November 13 2018
Ontario Police Department officers have arrested a suspect who allegedly tried to run down officers while fleeing in a stolen truck through areas of Ontario, Fontana, and Riverside County in the early morning hours on Nov. 12, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident resulted in two separate officer involved shootings, and the suspect sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
At 1:07 a.m., Ontario Police responded to a commercial business in the 5100 block of East Shea Center Drive for a call of man trying to steal a semi-tractor truck with no trailer. The suspect rammed the gate several times and struck a security guard with the vehicle. The security guard was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officers arrived as he fled the location in the truck and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
In the 5400 block of E. Airport Drive, the suspect pulled over and acted as though he was going to submit to arrest. However, he then allegedly placed the truck in reverse and intentionally rammed an Ontario Police vehicle, nearly striking two officers.
He fled the scene and led additional Ontario officers on a pursuit that traveled through Fontana and eventually entered the State Route 60 Freeway. The suspect showed no regard for public safety and drove eastbound in the westbound lanes of the 60, authorities said.
At two separate locations on the 60 Freeway, Ontario officers attempted to stop him by discharging their firearms. The suspect then drove up an embankment west of Pyrite Avenue and stopped at a gas station, where he submitted to arrest without further incident.
The suspect is a 37-year-old man from Pomona. His identity is being withheld pending an investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. He was arrested and transported to a local area hospital for an apparent gunshot wound to his leg. He will be booked at West Valley Detention Center on multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder of a police officer, grand theft auto, and felony evading.
Two Ontario officers discharged their firearms during the incident. The first is a sergeant with 27 years of experience. The second is an officer with 14 years of experience. Both officers will be placed on standard three days paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
The Ontario Police Department will be handling the investigation into the stolen vehicle, the pursuit, and the assaults on the security guards and the officers. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will be investigating the officer involved shooting as it occurred within its jurisdiction.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Ontario P.D. at (909) 986-6711 or Detective Robert Marquez at 909-408-1777.
Information can also be reported anonymously by calling WE-TIP at (800) 78-CRIME or online at www.wetip.com.
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