Two Castro Valley men are in custody after the stolen car they were riding in rammed two patrol cars in the Auburn area Tuesday afternoon.
Placer County sheriff's deputies were following a Honda on Galena Drive in the north Auburn area after checking the license plate number and learning the car had been reported stolen from Penryn, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.
The car turned onto Town Court, near Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, then swerved into the opposing lane and struck the patrol car head-on, officials said. The driver, later identified as Joseph L. Engel, 21, (left photo) then allegedly backed up and rammed another patrol car. Authorities said two detectives' vehicles also were damaged.
No one was injured in the incident.
Engel and his passenger, Daniel Collins (right photo), 20, were able to drive a short distance, then ran from the car, sheriff's officials said. They were taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.
Deputies found a second stolen vehicle parked at a Galena Drive address with which the two men were associated, according to the news release. That car had been reported stolen from Davis.
Both men are being held in Placer County Jail. Engel was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, assault with a deadly weapon, evading officers, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of burglary tools. Collins was booked on suspicion of possessing stolen property and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Engel's bail was set at $25,000, and Collins' at $5,000.
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