By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
An Auburn man was arrested early this morning after he allegedly drove his vehicle toward police officers, leading them to fire handguns in an attempt to stop it.
Gary Jones, 26, is accused of assault with a deadly weapon, evading a peace officer and driving under the influence.
The incident began late Tuesday night when Auburn police officers spotted a suspicious vehicle in the Auburn Town Center parking lot in the 300 block of Elm Avenue. It was parked in a location that generally is not used at that hour, according to a police department news release.
About 12:25 a.m. today, officers saw the vehicle leave the location and they attempted to stop it. The driver, however, failed to stop after officers turned on their emergency lights and siren. The vehicle instead accelerated as it turned onto Mikkelsen Drive and crossed over to the wrong side of the street.
When the vehicle slowed down, officers believed it was going to stop. As they got out of their vehicles, however, the suspect vehicle made an abrupt turn and headed toward the officers. Fearing for their safety, the officers fired shorts at the vehicle in an attempt to disable it, the news release said.
The vehicle sped away and entered an apartment complex in the 700 block of Mikkelsen Drive.
As officers were driving around the apartment complex, a witness directed them to the driver and passenger, who were now out of the vehicle. Both were detained.
An initial investigation determined that Jones was the driver and he was arrested. The passenger was released after questioning, and investigators said it was unlikely charges would be filed against that individual.
Police said the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call detectives at (530) 823-4237.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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