An East Palo Alto man who allegedly injured two police officers attempting to take him into custody for stealing two bottles of alcohol was charged with felony assault on a police officer and resisting a police officer, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
The man, Aaron Martinez, 31, faces up to 25 years to life in prison because of two previous convictions under the three strikes law, Wagstaffe said.
Officers were dispatched about 8:30 p.m. Friday to the Sequoia Station shopping center at 1071 El Camino Real where Martinez was allegedly causing a disturbance, police said.
Martinez allegedly saw the officers and entered Safeway before they could contact him. Moments later, he left the store carrying two glass bottles of alcohol and, when questioned, allegedly struck the officer in the face.
Attempts by the officers to use their Tasers to subdue the man were ineffective, police said.
“A large crowd gathered and displayed antagonistic behavior towards the officers,” police said in a press release. “San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist with separating the crowd from the arresting officers and provided scene security.”
One officer suffered a broken ankle, and another received a cut to the head that required stitches. Both were treated at a local hospital and released, police said.
Martinez is being held on $125,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing Aug. 9.
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