A man who allegedly stole a taxi in San Francisco and immediately drove to the East Bay early Sunday morning was arrested when he got stuck near an off-ramp in Emeryville as he punched, kicked, and spat at California Highway Patrol officers, law enforcement officials said.
The 35-year-old man allegedly stole the taxi at gunpoint near the corner of First and Harrison streets at about 12:10 a.m. Sunday, according to San Francisco police. He was riding in the back seat when he allegedly hit the 30-year-old driver in the face and arm and told him he would shoot him.
The suspect then drove through the Bay Bridge to Emeryville, where California Highway Patrol officers spotted him less than 10 minutes later near the Powell Street off-ramp to Interstate Highway 80 in Emeryville, CHP Officer Sean Wilkenfeld said.
The officers did not realize the taxi had been stolen, but tried to pull the suspect over for speeding. The driver exited at Powell Street, but got stuck on a curb as he tried to make a U-turn, Wilkenfeld said.
As the car was stuck, CHP officers went to the driver’s door and pulled the suspect out as he punched, kicked and spat at them. The officers’ injuries were very minor, but the driver did spit in one of their faces, Wilkenfeld said.
He was arrested and turned over to San Francisco police, Wilkenfeld said. San Francisco police did not immediately release his identity today.
Scott Morris, Bay City News
