Corona police officer driving unmarked vehicle rammed by group of would-be robbers

A detective was rammed by a group of would-be robbers while he was driving an unmarked vehicle last week in Corona, according to police. 

It happened on Saturday, Nov. 30, at around 8 p.m., when the detective was driving in the 500 block of E. Third Street, according to a Corona Police Department post on Facebook. 

"A gray Nissan Altima began tailgating him and attempted to crash into the back of his car," police said. 

This caused him to turn his own car around and pull the driver of the Nissan over, the statement noted. He detained the driver, 40-year-old Riverside man Brian Velasquez and two 16-year-old passengers. 

The detective found a handgun at the driver's feet in the car, and upon inspection found that it had "been modified into an 'assault weapon.'"

"After interviewing the driver, and based on other evidence, the detective formed the opinion the three occupants of the Nissan planned on robbing him before they discovered he was a peace officer," the department said. 

The man and two juveniles were arrested for attempted robbery. Velasquez was also arrested for possession of an assault weapon. He was previously convicted of being in possession with an unregistered firearm, they noted. 

Both of the juvenile suspects were taken to juvenile hall. 

No further information was provided.