Slashed CHP Officer On The Mend; Upgraded To Stable Condition
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A California Highway Patrol officer who was slashed in the throat by a homeless man last week was on the mend Saturday at San Francisco General Hospital, authorities said.
Seven-year veteran officer Andre Sirenko has had his condition upgraded from critical to stable and was expected to survive his wounds.
In a prepared release, the CHP said "we would also like to thank the SFFD medics and the medical staff at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for all the work they have done taking care of Officer Sirenko."
Meanwhile, the man accused of slashing Sirenko was being held on $5 million bail.
Noel Corpuz, 45, made an initial appearance in San Francisco Superior Court Thursday on charges including attempted murder of a police officer, but did not enter a plea.
Corpuz was arrested Tuesday after an attack on the officer, identified as Officer Andre Sirenko, on the Essex Street on-ramp to eastbound Interstate Highway 80 that left Sirenko with life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred after the CHP was alerted around 9:30 a.m. of a pedestrian on the on-ramp.
Two officers made contact with two males at a homeless encampment alongside the ramp a short time later. During that contact, Corpuz allegedly attacked Sirenko, slashing his throat and left arm before running away, according to the CHP.
The second officer chased after the suspect, but dropped the pursuit when he realized that his partner was badly injured.
Based on descriptions from witnesses and the other officer, Corpuz was located a short time later in a Wells Fargo Bank near Fourth and Brannan streets and was arrested after a struggle in which he tried to grab an officer's firearm from its holster, according to San Francisco police. A knife was also recovered at that location.
Corpuz is scheduled to return to court to possibly enter a plea on Feb. 9.
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