By Mike Hazlip—
Residents reported a heavy police presence in the area of Birdcage Street on Saturday night, where a Citrus Heights police officer narrowly avoided being struck by a stolen vehicle fleeing the scene of a domestic violence call.
Officers responded to a residence in the 5900 block of Birdcage St. at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, Police Sgt. Anthony Boehle said. The suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle once officers arrived. During the incident, the man drove directly at an officer who was able to narrowly avoid the vehicle, Boehle said.
He returned to the scene about an hour later with the vehicle and fled on foot when officers attempted to apprehend him. Several hours after calling off the search, undercover police arrested the 30-year-old Granite Bay man when he returned to the location a third time, Boehle said.
Multiple agencies assisted in responding to the incident.
Police are not releasing the suspect’s name citing an ongoing investigation, according to Boehle. The man is facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon related to driving directly at a police officer. He is also facing charges of strangulation, car jacking, parole violation, and resisting arrest.
Beth Hassett, CEO of Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE), told The Sentinel previously that domestic violence incidents are typically the top call for service among any law enforcement agency. She defined domestic violence as violence between intimate partners, both married and dating. It often includes children who are impacted.