Suspect Rams Into Patrol Car, Injuring La Palma Police Officer Before Waging 30-Mile Chase
LA PALMA (CBSLA.com) — A domestic violence suspect rammed a La Palma police car before leading officers on a 30-mile chase that ended near Long Beach early Sunday morning, authorities said.
A 29-year veteran of the La Palma police force suffered leg injuries and was taken to a hospital while a second officer was treated at the scene after the suspect struck two vehicles with his pickup truck on Bransford Drive near Walker Street after a short pursuit.
Officers were pursuing Juan Manuel Jara, 40, in connection with a domestic violence incident reported several hours earlier in La Palma, CBS2/KCAL9's Joy Benedict reported.
When officers responded to the call around 9 p.m. Saturday, Jara had already left the scene, police report. The alleged victim was taken to a hospital, where she remained Sunday morning.
Police later caught up to Jara in La Palma, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop before he turned around and crashed into the two cars.
One police cruiser hit another cruiser and a parked car, trapping the officer inside. She was eventually freed by firefighters and taken to a hospital.
The suspect then left the scene, leading officers on a chase that ended when the California Highway Patrol was able to stop the pickup truck near the 405-605 Freeway split.
"They chased him down an embankment which turned into a lengthy struggle," CHP Officer Greg Makel said.
Police say he struggled with several officers and a canine.
"He tried to fight the canine repeatedly punched a canine as the canine was trying to subdue him," Makel said.
The suspected was Tasered, treated and arrested.
La Palma police Sgt. Ron Wilkerson said domestic violence calls can be unpredictable.
"Domestic violence incidents are particularly dangerous for police because emotions are high," Wilkerson said. "You're entering into a situation where it's already a volatile situation and now someone from the outside is coming to try to intervene, and a lot of times that doesn't go well."
Jara was arrested and checked for injuries. He faces charges that include domestic violence and assault of a police officer with a deadly weapon.
The injured police officer was treated for a leg injury and is recovering at home.
