Fresno PD: Pursuit suspect arrested after hitting police car

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man was booked into jail after leading police on a pursuit and hitting a police car in Central Fresno.

Officers arrested Timothy Pinedo late Sunday night. Authorities say he was the driver in a chase that ended in the area of Dakota and Marks avenues a little before 11 p.m. Police say minutes earlier, officers were at the northwest district station when they heard shots fired. As they looked for Pinedo, police say they saw a black Honda driving away from the scene with its lights turned off.

As Pinedo tried to get away, authorities say he actually hit a police car. The chase went on for a few minutes until officers performed a PIT maneuver and were able to end the pursuit.

"Because he had intentionally struck one of my officers with the red and blue lights flashing, if he's going to do violence on an officer, then he's going to do violence to any civilians out here, so it was imperative we take this guy into custody as quickly as possible," said Sgt. Justin Hoagland with the Fresno Police Department.

Investigators are trying to figure out who Pinedo was shooting at before the pursuit started. Pinedo is now facing several charges, including evading police and assault on a police officer.