Burglary Suspects Ram Union City Police Car, Cops Say

UNION CITY, CA — Two suspects were arrested after ramming their vehicle into a Union City Police car in an effort to escape, according to police. A chase ensued, ending in Fremont with the suspects in custody and at least eight burglaries solved in the Tri-Cities.

Taken into custody were Albert Balucan, 23, a transient and Ma C. Onia, 36, of Union City.

The incident started on Wednesday, just after 3:15 a.m., when a Union City officer noticed a suspicious car driving slowly on Silvertide Drive near Maritime Loop. The car matched the description of a vehicle linked to recent burglaries and the officer believed the occupants were casing the neighborhood.

A records check revealed the car was stolen.

The car pulled into a driveway with the police car following closely behind. Initially the driver complied with the officer’s instructions but suddenly placed the car into reverse backing toward the police car.

The officer was able to back-up his car, preventing a significant impact, but the suspect vehicle still collided with the front of the police car.

The officer was not injured.

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The suspect vehicle fled through the neighborhood and eventually into Fremont, with officers in pursuit. The car collided with a concrete barrier and other objects on Ardenwood Boulevard near Commerce Drive, bringing the car to a stop.

The driver and female passenger tried to run away, according to police, but were taken into custody by Union City and Fremont police officers.

The stolen vehicle eventually caught fire, which was extinguished by the Alameda County Fire Department and did not cause any injuries.

According to police, "The vehicle contained numerous items believed to have been stolen from other burglaries; purses, wallets, personal identification, electronic equipment, numerous credit cards, a collection of military medals and additional property. Union City Detectives completed a follow up investigation and were able to link many of these items to other recent burglaries. The military medals had been stolen from a storage unit in Fremont and belonged to the victim’s deceased brother."

Detectives have been able clear six Union City auto burglaries and two additional burglaries in Newark and Fremont. That number is expected to grow as more potential victims are contacted.

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Both suspects were arrested for:

• assault on an officer
• possession of a stolen vehicle
• possession of stolen property
• evading officers
• fleeing from the collision
• resisting arrest

If you are a burglary victim, call Union City Detective K. Wu at 510-675-5220 to see if any of the items belong to you.

--Images via Union City Police