Video: Chase Leads to Suspect's Ambush on Calif. Police Officers

By Rosalio Ahumada

Source The Sacramento Bee

Officials on Wednesday released video of a shootout earlier this month in south Sacramento, where gang enforcement officers were "ambushed" by a man who led them in a vehicle chase before he was apprehended in Folsom, police said.

Jose Borrego, 34, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a gun, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and evading police, according to a Sacramento Police Department news release. Borrego remained in custody at the jail Wednesday, and was being held without bail.

The Police Department released an edited video of the shooting with narration from police. The department also released raw video footage from three officer body-camera, a police vehicle dashboard camera and four security camera videos from nearby homes.

Four officers with the department's East Gang Enforcement Team in a marked patrol vehicle first spotted Borrego about 6:40 p.m. on April 14. A car driven by the suspect ran a red light through an intersection and drove off on a rainy evening, the video shows.

The patrol vehicle's emergency lights and sirens were activated, and the officers tried to conduct a traffic stop near 44th Street and 14th Avenue. Borrego initially pulled over but quickly drove away and led the officers in a vehicle pursuit, Officer Chad Lewis, a police spokesman, said in the video.

Lewis said the chase continued through numerous street blocks, reaching excessive speeds in the residential neighborhood and running stop signs along the way. He said the car eventually gained a considerable distance from the pursuing patrol vehicle.

Near 44th Street and 23rd Avenue, the officers were driving around a corner when they saw Borrego had stopped and got out of the car, the video shows. Lewis said Borrego "ambushed" the officers, firing a handgun at them.

Gunfire struck the patrol vehicle at least five times, police said. The video shows one bullet struck the windshield on the driver's side of the vehicle. Police said one of the officers suffered minor facial injuries as a result of the shooting.

The video shows the patrol vehicle turn left into the front yard of a home as gunshots were fired at the officers. Police said one of the officers got out of the patrol vehicle and returned fire.

After the exchange of gunfire, Borrego got back in the car and drove away, Lewis said. The video shows one of the officers tell police dispatchers the direction of the fleeing car. After telling dispatchers "we're stable," the officers got back in the patrol vehicle to look for the suspect.

Dozens of Sacramento police officers, along with other local law enforcement agencies, searched the area for the suspect. A sheriff's helicopter, aerial drones and armored vehicles were used in the search. The chase then continued north before the car headed east east on Highway 50 to elude authorities.

Police said officers followed the suspect to Folsom, where the car was found abandoned.

Officers found Borrego near the Natoma Light Rail Station in Folsom, where he was taken into custody and found to be in possession of a handgun and ammunition, according to police.

Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester thanked those who helped in the search, including Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol and Folsom Police Department.

"Occurrences such as these are frightening for everyone, the community and our officers included," Lester said in the news release. "This is yet another example of the dangers of gun violence. I am thankful that none of the officers were hurt nor any of our community members."

Sheriff's detectives and the Sacramento police Internal Affairs Division and Professional Standards Unit is investigating the incident, along with the department's Force Investigation Team which will focus on policy, tactics and training as it relates to the use of force, according to the news release.

Detectives were still identifying and retrieving video associated with this incident. Police said the Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office are providing oversight by monitoring the investigation.

Investigators asked any witnesses with information about this incident to call officers at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips website and app.

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