A Los Altos police officer is recovering at home from moderate injuries after being pinned between his police vehicle and the car of a suspected mail thief Sunday (Feb. 25) morning, according to Los Altos officials.
The suspect, identified as San Jose resident Selena Fernandez, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer, felony resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property and probation violation, according to Sonia Lee, Los Altos public information officer.
A passenger was also reportedly in the vehicle but was not able to be detained by officers after fleeing the scene. Detectives are currently investigating and following leads regarding the outstanding suspect.
Police officers responded around 3:07 a.m. to reports of a mail theft in progress at an apartment complex in the 900 block of North San Antonio Road; the description of an associated vehicle was provided.
Arriving officers located a vehicle matching the description along Pasa Robles Avenue; the officers pulled the car over near North San Antonio Road. As officers approached the suspect’s car, she accelerated the vehicle.
“At that same time, the officer attempted to get inside his patrol vehicle for his safety but was pinned between the driver’s door and the body of the patrol car during the intentional collision,” Lee stated. “The officer was examined by paramedics, and subsequently further examined at a local hospital.”
Fernandez and the passenger sped away from the scene after colliding with the police vehicle. The two eventually crashed in Palo Alto; Fernandez was apprehended by Los Altos officers after attempting to flee on foot but the passenger remains at large.
