Photo: Joseph Cormier, SFGate
CONCORD — A routine traffic stop turned into a police chase that resulted in officers sustaining minor injuries and the damage of three patrol cars, rendering them temporarily undriveable.
Police stopped a van driven by Joseph Cormier, 63 of Walnut Creek, near the intersection of Concord Boulevard and Clayton Way on March 2.
After being pulled over at approximately 11:30 p.m., Cormier is accused of ramming his van into a patrol car and then speeding away from the police.
Police chased after the van through city streets. While being pursued, Cormier is accused of ramming into two more patrol cars and disregarding repeated attempts by officers to stop him, according to the police.
Officers suffered minor injuries when their patrol cars were rammed—but none required hospitalization, police said.
Other agencies were alerted to be on the lookout for the van and it was soon spotted cruising along on the freeway.
The driver refused to comply with several more attempts by officers to stop him, but eventually he pulled over without any further ramming incidents.
Officers immediately arrested Cormier, who was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility, charged with assault with a deadly weapon (his vehicle), and evading a police officer while disregarding safety. He remains in custody in lieu of $275,000 bond.
