Man Wanted for Attacking San Leandro Police Officer Arrested

By Bay City News Service

A suspect wanted by San Leandro police for an incident involving a fight with an officer on Valentine's Day was arrested in Hayward Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Last Thursday San Leandro police officers said they attempted to stop a vehicle just before 7 p.m., however the car pulled over at the parking lot of the Nimitz Motel at 555 Lewelling Blvd. in San Leandro and the driver got out and ran away.

An officer chased after the driver, later identified as Solomon Espinoza, 22, of Union City, and caught up to him and grabbed a hold of him as he attempted to jump over a fence.

Espinoza then turned onto the officer and slammed him against a wall.

The officer regained control of Espinoza by grabbing his shirt and tackling him to the ground and was able to get one handcuff on him but then Espinoza pushed the officer away, police said.

Police said Espinoza then attempted to grab the officer's gun.

During the struggle Espinoza's girlfriend, Vanessa Clark, exited a hotel room and approached the officer and demanded the officer release Espinoza.

Fearing for his safety, the officer pushed away Espinoza who then ran across the street through the 500 block of Lewelling Boulevard until officers lost sight of him.

A perimeter was established and after nearly a five-hour search Espinoza was not found.

Clark was arrested on suspicion of delaying an officer and for threatening to harm an officer.

The officer involved in the struggle suffered minor scrapes and bruises, police said.

Espinoza, who allegedly has several outstanding warrants for assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and vandalism, was sought and Hayward police located him Wednesday afternoon in Hayward.

He was arrested and taken into custody by Hayward police, San Leandro police said.

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