Man believed of driving towards Riverside officers, shooting a weapon during authorities encounter is detained

RIVERSIDE - - A 19-year-old presumed of trying to ram his vehicle into a police vehicle and shooting a firearm during an encounter with police officers while driving was behind bars Monday.

2 officers from the Riverside Police Department's Park and Neighborhood Specialist Unit patrolled the Bryant Park area around 9:30 a.m. March 10, when they encountered a lorry driving recklessly to meet another car inside a parking lot, according to Officer Ryan J. Railsback, the department's public info officer.

Officers saw a brief interaction in between the two automobiles. The chauffeurs drove away when they observed the policeman, Railsback said.

As the 2 celebrations were leaving the parking area, one vehicle sped up towards the police vehicle, attempting to strike it, but was unsuccessful, Railsback said.

Officers began to repel from the location for their safety when they heard several gunshots coming from the automobile that practically rammed into them.

They required support and a number of officers responded, including the Problem Oriented Policing Team, but the involved cars were not located after an extensive search, Railsback said.

The gunshots did not appear aimed toward the officers but surveillance video confirmed that the driver of one vehicle deliberately sped toward the officers and subsequently fired off a pistol, Railsback stated.

On Thursday, authorities found a man, 19, presumed to be the main suspect.

A search warrant led police officials to take roughly 9 ounces of suspected fentanyl, 120 ounces of cannabis, 19 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms, 320 packaged marijuana and psilocybin mushroom candy, ammunition, a large amount of cash and a 9 mm handgun, Railsback stated.

The suspect was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, irresponsible discharge of a gun, ownership of unlawful narcotics and cannabis for the function of sales, weapons infractions, intimidation of a witness and the commission of a felony while out on bail.

The male was being hung on $350,000 bail.

Anyone with information concerning the arrest was encouraged to get in touch with Problem Oriented Policing Officer Michael Smith at 951-826-8728. Anonymous callers can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.