Two Morgan Hill police officers suffered broken bones when a man
suspected of stealing a car became belligerent.
Two Morgan Hill police officers suffered broken bones when a man suspected of stealing a car became belligerent.
About 11 p.m. Wednesday, an officer on patrol ran a registration check on a suspicious tan vehicle on Diana Avenue near Butterfield Boulevard, according to Morgan Hill Detective Carson Thomas.
The officer determined the vehicle was reported stolen out of Gilroy, and attempted to pull the motorist over, Thomas said.
The driver, Michael Martinez of San Jose, attempted to elude the officer and rammed the patrol car, police said.
The chase ended on Nina Lane, where Martinez crashed the car into a fence, Thomas said.
Officers ordered Martinez to exit the vehicle, but he refused, police said. He remained in the car and was seen moving around inside and reaching into his pockets and the glove compartment.
The officers decided to break the windows of the vehicle and remove Martinez, Thomas said. Martinez continued to exit the vehicle, yelling at the officers and ignoring their commands.
The officers removed Martinez from the car by force. Once he was out of the vehicle, he became combative and resisted the officers’ attempts to restrain him, police said.
After a physical altercation, police eventually took Martinez into custody, Thomas said. During the altercation, Martinez suffered minor bruises and cuts, including bruises to his face and head. He was transported to Saint Louise Regional Hospital, where he was medically cleared and later booked into Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property, evading a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, willful resistance causing injury, possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was also booked for a parole violation.
Two officers involved in the arrest suffered broken bones as a result of the altercation with Martinez, Thomas said.
They were treated and released from Saint Louise Regional Hospital.
