Suspect Assaults Deputy, Steals His Gun and Car, Hides in Church Service
Photo: Alex Padilla
HOLTVILLE – An deputy’s response to a disturbance call led to the officer suffering unspecified injuries after the suspect assaulted him and fled.
The incident occurred in thee area of Orange and 9th Streets. The responding officer came upon 38-year-old Alex Padilla, who resisted and initiated a “physical altercation.”
During the altercation, the deputy’s sidearm fell out and Padilla grabbed it, “who then fired two shots at the deputy and drove away in the patrol car.”
Other responding state, local, and federal officers secured the car at 9th and Holt Streets. They also soon located Padilla. The suspect was “inside a local church as he attempted to blend in with those who were attending the service.”
The press release announced that “the assaulted deputy’s firearm was recovered, as well as a knife that Padilla had in his possession.”
Padilla is charged with several weapons violations, assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft, battery on an officer, attempted murder of an officer and resisting arrest. his bail is $500,000.
The deputy received treatment and was released from the hospital, although “he did suffer substantial injuries.”
