POMONA – A female screaming and begging for help spurred witnesses into action at 7 PM last night. Multiple 911 calls from the 300 block of W. McKinley Avenue reported that a black man with a gun was forcing a frantically screaming woman into a white Toyota Tacoma, which left at a high rate of speed.
Pomona PD Corporal Joe Hernandez announced that Pomona Police Patrol Division responded to the area and located the vehicle as it was fleeing the scene.
As officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop in the area of White and Orange Grove Avenues, they observed the female victim lying in the back seat, but could not tell if she was injured. Corporal Hernandez stated, “The driver, later identified as Rashad Shell (19) of L.A., refused to comply with Officers’ commands to exit the vehicle. Due to the nature of the call, officers deployed an armored, tactical vehicle. The armored vehicle was used for a tactical advantage in order to prevent the suspect from escaping.”
After several minutes of negotiations with the suspect, officers approached the vehicle, then took him into custody without incident. The anonymous female victim was rescued from the vehicle and treated by the Fire Department at the scene.
A loaded firearm and several rounds of ammunition were located in the vehicle within close reach of the suspect during the investigation. The suspect was arrested and booked at the Pomona Police Station, and charged with kidnapping and weapons violations.
Corporal Hernandez added, “The Pomona Police Department is equipped with great assets that complement each other in the time of need to ensure the safety of our community. Members of our SWAT, Canine and Crisis Negotiation teams hold a collateral duty while assigned to our Patrol Division, and held a vital role with the rescue of the victim during this incident.”
Any information regarding this incident is encouraged. Call Pomona PD at (909) 620-2085.
