Pinole Officer, 4 Others Hurt As Burglary Suspect Flees
PINOLE (CBS SF) - A Pinole police officer who was among five people who were injured Wednesday when a burglary suspect being chased by Hercules police struck their vehicles was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released, Pinole police said Thursday.
The incident began about 3:20 p.m. on Sycamore and Willow avenues, where Hercules police officers found a black Ford Taurus that was thought to be connected to a burglary that had just occurred at a Rite Aid pharmacy, Hercules spokeswoman Michelle Harrington said.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect fled.
The Ford struck a vehicle near Sycamore and Willow avenues, but continued to flee onto San Pablo Avenue, Harrington said.
More officers joined the chase and pursued the Ford at speeds of up to 80 mph.
Meanwhile, officers notified Pinole police that the suspect was heading west on San Pablo Avenue into Pinole, and Pinole police arrived to help, Harrington said.
The suspect's vehicle struck two more vehicles at the intersection of San Pablo and Tennent avenues in Pinole and then hit a Pinole police vehicle at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Oak Ridge Road, Harrington said.
The suspect's vehicle became disabled, and Pinole and Hercules police arrested the driver, who was identified as 39-year-old Richmond resident Java Taylor.
Taylor was arrested on suspicion of burglary, misdemeanor hit and run, felony hit and run, and assault with a deadly weapon.
She is being held at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond in lieu of $290,000 bail.
Police are also investigating two passengers who were in Taylor's car during the chase. One of them, Concord resident Verdia Nix, had an outstanding warrant for an unrelated theft, Harrington said. The other passenger was identified as Richmond resident Cynthia Haynes.
A total of five people, including the Pinole police officer, were transported to local hospitals with unknown injuries.
Pinole police said their officer was treated at Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo and released Wednesday night. He was off work today, but doing well.
Updates on how the other four people were doing were not available this afternoon.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Hercules or Pinole police at (510) 724-1111.
