Robbery Suspect caught trying to flee from police in stolen car
19-year-old Curtis Niles McFarland was arrested near 1440 Revere Ave in San Jose on May 23, 2013 when officers attempted to make a felony vehicle stop pursuant to VC 23103 (a) – reckless driving, and VC 2800 (a) – failure to yield to a law enforcement officers, which resulted in a hit-and-run incident.
Approximate location of arrest
San Jose Police officers were called to an area near Westgate Ave in San Jose after receiving a 9-1-1 call reporting a suspicious person in the area.Officers responding to the area spotted the suspect, and began procedures to conduct a felony stop when officers recognized McFarland as a wanted robbery suspect under PC 211. However, McFarland was far from surrendering peacefully to officers. He was driving a stolen 2003 Kia Spectra, and showed little or no concern for the safety of others during the pursuit.
In his attempt to flee from SJPD officers, McFarland began driving through the front yard of a residence, hitting a vehicle parked in the driveway. The collision caused moderate damage to the rear bumper. Backing up to free himself, he then hit the front end of another vehicle parked in the roadway causing moderate damage to the front of that vehicle.
Patrol cars were near McFarland when he swerved and drove straight into a police cruiser, ramming the officer without regard to his or the officer’s safety in an attempt to disable the vehicle. He then tried to back up, but was quickly blocked by another patrol vehicle.
McFarland was quickly pulled from the driver’s side of the vehicle and placed on the ground.In an attempt to prevent officers from placing hand-cuffs on him, he placed his hand under his chest.An arresting officer then gave three quick blows to his chest to make him release his arm.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene, and then booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for the felony robbery warrant under PC 211, and for the hit-and-run that occurred during his attempt to escape from officers. Other charges are pending further review of the case. McFarland is expected to appear June 6, 2013 in the Superior Court Hall of Justice in San Jose at 1:30 in courtroom 23.
