Chase Suspect Rams Cop Car Twice In Walnut Creek: Sheriff

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A 35-year-old man was arrested in Walnut Creek after allegedly ramming into an occupied vehicle and a sheriff’s patrol vehicle twice, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office.

Around 8:37 p.m. Friday, Valley Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to Alamo Plaza Shopping Center on reports that a car was ramming into another occupied car, CCSO spokesperson Jimmy Lee told Patch.

Deputies found suspect Austin Gillen outside his car, physically hitting the other vehicle. Gillen then got back into his car and led deputies on a chase through Alamo, Danville and Walnut Creek, Lee said.

Walnut Creek police deployed spike strips. At South Main Boulevard and Brentwood Court, Gillen allegedly backed up rapidly and rammed a sheriff's patrol vehicle twice.

He then allegedly exited his car, refused commands to stop, and actively fought deputies trying to detain him. Gillen was eventually handcuffed and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Gillen is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony evasion, obstruction, and a hit-and-run. He was being held in lieu of $380,000 bail.