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MILLCREEK — A man accused of trying to run over one Unified police officer and then ramming his car into a second officer's patrol car has been criminally charged.
Michael Rodriguez, 26, of West Valley, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with three counts of assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony; two counts of failing to stop for police and drug possession, both third-degree felonies; failing to stop for law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and interfering with an arrest, a class B misdemeanor.
On March 21, a Unified police officer spotted a vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store near 3900 South and 500 East about 11:30 p.m. where a suspected drug deal was taking place, according to charging documents. The vehicle did not have a license plate and the officer attempted to pull it over as it left the parking lot.
Instead, Rodriguez drove off into a nearby neighborhood, off 3900 South, near 550 East. When the officer caught up to the vehicle, it appeared to be abandoned. All the lights were off and the officer could not see anyone inside, the charges state. But after the officer got out of his patrol car and began walking toward the vehicle, he spotted Rodriguez laying down in the driver's seat.
"Rodriguez then accelerated the (Nissan) Altima and made a hard right turn, driving directly towards (the officer) as the officer backed away. The Altima struck (the officer's) legs causing (him) to fall to the ground," according to the charges.
The officer suffered cuts and bruises but was otherwise not severely injured, according to police.
Other officers in the area spotted the fleeing vehicle a short time later and the chase resumed. During the pursuit, Rodriguez drove toward one patrol car and nearly hit it, then drove into a dead-end street and rammed a second pursuing officer's patrol car after turning around and trying to escape, the charges state.
The chase ended when Rodriguez missed a turn at the intersection of 3900 S. State Street and crashed through some rocks, trees and bushes, disabling his vehicle.
Rodriguez then got out and ran. Police chased after him and were forced to use a Taser and a police K-9 to finally take him into custody, according to police.
Rodriguez was also convicted of stealing a vehicle in November and was sentenced to probation. A warrant had been issued for his arrest for failing to comply with the terms of his probation, according to court records.
