Fleeing Suspect Injures Police Officer

By Lookout Staff

April 10 -- A Santa Monica police officer was injured early Thursday morning when a fleeing suspect rammed the stolen vehicle he was driving into a squad car, police said.

The injured officer was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released for abrasions to his arms and legs and glass was removed from his eyes.

The suspect, who was arrested in El Monte with the help of a Los Angeles Police Department Airship and SMPD canines after a dramatic chase, has been identified as Raymond Rivera, a 36-year-old transient, police said.

The incident began at 2:30 a.m., when Santa Monica Police responded to an attempted auto theft on the 900 block of 15th Street, according to police department spokesman Frank Fabrega.

While officers were conducting their preliminary investigation, another officer in the area heard an auto alarm in the vicinity of Euclid and Washington, Fabrega said. Officers saw a black Chevrolet Tahoe leaving southbound on Euclid Avenue and stopped the vehicle at Lincoln Avenue and Olympic Boulevard.

“A felony vehicle car stop was initiated and officers gave the suspect commands but he failed to comply,” Fabrega said.

During the attempt to apprehend the suspect, an officer fired one shot, Fabrega said. No one was injured.

Rivera fled in his vehicle and rammed one of the squad cars, injuring one officer, Fabrega said. After ramming the squad car, the suspect attempted to run over several officers who were on foot.

Police chased the suspect’s vehicle to the City of El Monte, where the suspect fled on foot and was later arrested with the aid of the Los Angles Police Department Airship and a Santa Monica Police Department’s K9, Fabrega said.

Rivera was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer, Felony Evading, and Grand Theft Auto. He was also wanted on an outstanding Parole Violation with an escape risk. No bail was set.