The Oakley Police Department issued updates on two major incidents in the last few days which involved a police pursuit and a felony hit and run.
The following information was provided by Chief Paul Beard:
VEHICULAR ASSAULT ON TWO OAKLEY POLICE OFFICERS
On Thursday May 25, 2023 at 6:13AM Oakley Police Officers were dispatched to 69 Carol Lane regarding a stolen U-Haul pickup truck being on the grounds. Our officers arrived and located the stolen truck in the apartment complex. The truck was occupied, by only one person, and our officers attempted to stop him. The driver responded by ramming our two officers, who were in two separate patrol cars, and fleeing out of the apartment complex.
Our officers composed themselves and initiated a pursuit of the suspect, who was now wanted for not only the stolen vehicle but also for assault with a deadly weapon upon our two officers. Our officers chased the suspect until he turned going southbound in the northbound lanes of highway 160.
Even though the suspect had just committed a violent felony assault upon our officers we have to constantly assess when to continue pursuits and when to terminate them due to the dangerous nature of them. Factors such as severity of the crime, time of day, traffic patterns and danger to the community come into play when making these assessments. In this particular case we decided to terminate our pursuit of this suspect. Our officers continued our investigation and later found the stolen truck on Heritage Way.
The truck was unoccupied, but we were able to determine the driver was Shane Hernandez (32, Baypoint).
This investigation continued throughout the day and it involved allied agencies. At 5:39PM Deputy Sheriff’s with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff located Hernandez inside the Wal-Mart store in Pittsburg. Hernandez stayed true to his pattern and fled from the Deputy Sheriff’s on foot throughout the store, he was however caught, subdued and taken into custody.
Hernandez was arrested and booked for assault upon our officers, possession of a stolen vehicle and several outstanding arrest warrants.
FELONY HIT AND RUN
On Friday May 26, 2023 at 9:01PM our officers responded to Laurel Road at Live Oak Avenue for the report of a vehicle vs. bicyclist- it was also reported the vehicle fled the location without attempting to stop or render aid. It was further reported the bicyclist (a 51 year old female who is a local resident) had severe head injuries and was possibly not breathing.
Our officers arrived on scene and found the victim to be breathing, but confirmed she had a severe head injury. Due to the degree of the injury the victim was flown, to the John Muir Medical Center Trauma Unit in Walnut Creek.
Through surveillance cameras our officers were able to determine the suspect vehicle was a black lifted Dodge pickup truck with dual rear wheels and a tool rack in the bed of the truck. This investigation continued through the night and into the dayshift hours today.
Traffic Officer B. Jackson was able to identify the specific black Dodge truck and it was most likely located in Baypoint.
Officer Jackson responded to Baypoint and he did find the specific truck used in this crime. Officer Jackson arrested the registered owner for felony hit and run. The registered owner admitted to being involved in the collision and he is identified as Jose Hernandez-Estrada (46, Baypoint).
As of the evening of May 27, 2023 our victim remains in critical condition.
“I am grateful my officers were not seriously injured when they were assaulted by Shane Hernandez, I also appreciate the assistance we received in this case to get a dangerous suspect in custody where he belongs. In regards to our felony hit and run investigation I extend my well wishes to the victim and I hope an appreciable recovery is made. I respect my officers for not letting go of these types of investigations and for vigorously following up on the types of details that can bring swift resolve to unfortunate situations like what happened last night.
We are roughly halfway through the Memorial Day weekend. This is traditionally a weekend that is synonymous with impaired driving issues. Please enjoy this weekend, as we remember and honor our lost United States Armed Forces members, in a smart and responsible manner. Do not drive while impaired and report others who do.
Thank you and be safe Oakley!”
~Chief Paul Beard
- May 26 – First Responders Busy Friday Night in East County
- May 25 – Update: Bay Point Man Arrested After Ramming Two Oakley Police Vehicles
