Sex Crime Suspect Surrenders After Getaway Which Injured San Leandro Officer
SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF) - A San Leandro man wanted for a number of sex crimes turned himself in on Monday after eluding police over the weekend, injuring one officer as he made his getaway, police said Tuesday.
Police had probable cause to arrest Joseph Banner, 48, for a series of felony sex crimes dating back 12 years, Lt. Jeff Tudor said.
On Sunday evening, police attempted to pull over Banner as he drove away from his home, but he fled, prompting a car chase, police said.
Banner eventually pulled over in the 500 block of Tudor Avenue and got out of his truck, but then got back in and accelerated into a patrol car, Tudor said.
The collision caused an officer to fall, and he was dragged underneath the patrol car door and suffered moderate injuries, Tudor said.
Tudor said Banner fled his truck on foot and the injured officer pursued him. The San Leandro police SWAT team responded and searched several nearby homes.
During the search, a detective reached Banner on his cellphone and Banner said he was armed with a handgun, police said. However, officers were unable to find him.
Banner finally turned himself in on Monday and was taken into custody.
The officer who was injured was taken to a hospital to be treated and has since been released.
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