PHOTOS: Salinas Police Department
A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and evasion after leading Salinas Police on a violent pursuit.
According to a department press release, a man later identified as Abundio Cruz (50) was seen driving erratically in the area of Lincoln Avenue, near where the police department is located, in the early morning hours of March 26.
Police say that at some point just after 1 AM, he parked at the department parking lot, got out of his car, and began looking into the driver’s side window of another vehicle.
He then got back into his own car and fled the parking lot, driving around the block several times as officers began arriving, then left the scene.
Officers gave chase as Cruz headed eastbound on Gabilan Street toward Salinas Street and intentionally rammed into a patrol car as he made a left turn at 35-40 MPH.
At that point, Cruz remained in his vehicle and refused commands to exit. Officers ultimately resorted to smashing a window on the car and sending in K-9 Officer Robby, who helped subdue Cruz so officers could take him into custody.
Cruz suffered lacerations to his arms as a result of the encounter and had to be medically cleared for booking.
In addition to assault and evasion, Cruz was also cited for violating the statewide shelter-in-place order currently in effect.
