A driver in Fresno, California, attempted to hit a police officer and an arrested man early Monday, then crashed his car into a self-storage building. The incident at Derrell's Mini Storage happened just after midnight, according to sources.
Police responded to a report of a suspicious person looking at vehicles at an auto-repair shop on East Sierra Avenue. They found an allegedly drunk man, whom they handcuffed and sat on the curb while waiting to transport him to jail. A driver of a black Ford Mustang parked nearby then revved the engine and drove toward the arrested man and one of the officers.
“The officer illuminated the car, told the driver to stop. For some reason, the driver ignored his commands, and it appears he tried to run the officer over and knowingly tried running over the suspect who was being detained,” said Fresno Police Lt. Sean Biggs.
As the vehicle barreled toward the two men, the officer pulled them both to safety. A short car chase ensued before the driver crashed into a cinder block wall of the self-storage facility at 100 E. Sierra Ave. He then attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended.
The driver, 64-year-old Troy Heflin, sustained minor injuries in the accident. He was arrested on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and reckless driving. The crash is still under investigation, and police aren’t clear about Heflin’s motive or if a relationship exists between him and the other suspect.
Derrell's Mini-Storage operates 62 facilities in California.
Sources:
The Fresno Bee, Fresno Police Detained ‘Extremely Drunk’ Man
ABC 30, Driver Accused of Charging Car at Fresno Police Officer Who Was Making Arrest
