Full Notification

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 02-15-13/2:30 AM CRIME: Battery on an Officer

RELEASE OFFICER: Lt. Luis Torres TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3245

DATE / TIME OCCURRED: 02-14-213/6:48 PM

LOCATION: 555 Lewelling Blvd, San Leandro, California

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION: 510-577-3230

SUSPECT: Espinoza, Solomon Cruz DOB 09/20/1990



DETAILS:

On February 14, 2013 at 6:48 PM, San Leandro Police Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle turned into the parking lot of the Nimitz Motel, located at 555 Lewelling Blvd in San Leandro. The driver, who was identified as Solomon Cruz Espinoza from Union City, got out of his car and ran away. A San Leandro Police Officer chased Espinoza and caught up to him in the corner of the complex and grabbed hold of him as he attempted to jump over a fence. Espinoza turned towards the officer and slammed him up against a wall, in an attempt to break free from the officer. The officer was able to get a hold of Espinoza’s shirt and tackled him to the ground. While the officer was on top of Espinoza, he was able to get one handcuff on him. Prior to completing the handcuffing, Espinoza was able to push the officer off of him and against the wall in a violent manner. Espinoza spun around and made several attempts to grab the officer’s gun. During the struggle, Espinoza’s girlfriend, Vanessa Clark, exited a motel room. Clark approached the officer in a threatening manner and demanded that he release Espinoza. Clark refused the officers repeated orders to stay away, causing the officer to take his focus off of Espinoza. The officer, fearing that Espinoza was going to grab his gun, pushed Espinoza away from him, at which point Espinoza ran.

Espinoza ran across the street through the 500 block of Lewelling Blvd, where officers lost sight of him. A perimeter was established and due to Espinoza’s violent struggle with the officer, assistance was requested from several agencies in order to conduct a safe and methodical search of the businesses where he was last seen. The California Highway Patrol provided air support and the Alameda County Sheriff‘s Office and Hayward Police Department provided personnel and additional resources. After nearly a five hour search, Espinoza was not located.

Clark was ultimately arrested for delaying an officer in the performance of his duties, as well as threatening harm to an officer.

Espinoza has several outstanding warrants for assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and vandalism from previous incidents.

The officer sustained minor scrapes and bruises from this incident.

Lt. Luis Torres said, “We are very fortunate that no one was seriously injured during this incident. Anyone with information on Espinoza’s whereabouts should dial 911.”


MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Citizens can give an anonymous tip by calling 510-577-3278 or by texting the word SLPD and their tip to 847411. Anonymous web tips can be submitted from the Police Departments website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd


For crime prevention tips please go to the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact PSA Sandy Colwell at 510-577-3248