Deputy fires at suspect who rammed patrol car
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
A car theft suspect was fired upon by a Kern County sheriff's deputy after the suspect rammed the deputy's patrol car during a chase Thursday evening.
The suspect, Adolfo Rivera Jr., was not hit and was arrested shortly afterward, deputies reported.
Senior Deputy Robert Reed was uninjured in the chase and has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the shooting.
The incident began at 9:56 p.m. when Reed tried to stop a stolen vehicle driven by Rivera in the 600 block of Kentucky Street in east Bakersfield, deputies said. Rivera, 21, refused to stop and led Reed on a chase east on Kentucky Street, then east on Center Street to Sterling Road.
Rivera then turned south to the intersection of Eucalyptus Drive and tried to turn east, deputies said. Rivera lost control and hit a dirt berm on the south side of the roadway, spinning 180 degrees and leaving the car facing westbound.
Deputies said Reed stopped his patrol car at that point and got out, standing between the door of his car and the doorjamb. Rivera accelerated and struck the patrol car head-on, deputies reported.
The deputy fired one round, hitting the windshield of the stolen car, deputies said. Rivera then reversed the car, turned and continued eastbound on Eucalyptus Drive.
Reed got back into his patrol car and chased Rivera to the intersection of Park Drive and Niles Street, where he was able to take Rivera into custody.
Rivera was treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital and then booked on suspicion of attempted murder, auto theft and evading a peace officer.






Most CommentedMost Popular
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by...
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
A war of words erupted Friday over video footage taken of David Sal Silva’s deadly encounter with law enforcement officers.
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
The death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva immediately following his apparent beating Wednesday by Kern County law enforcement officers raises questions that have been asked in Bakersfield many times before -- questions about the use of deadly force by police.