Peninsula Suspect 'Kicked An Officer In The Face' Amid Pursuit: Cops

SAN MATEO, CA — A Peninsula catalytic converter theft suspect assaulted an officer during a pursuit early Thursday morning pursuit, San Mateo police said.

Olben Hernandez Lopez, 33, of Oakland, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools, obstructing and resisting an executive officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy, according to police.

Officers at around 3:05 a.m. Thursday were dispatched to Trollman Avenue near North Quebec Street on the report of a catalytic converter theft. The suspects had already fled the scene by the time officers arrived. They remained there to conduct the investigation.

While patrolling the neighborhood for suspects, police received a report of a second catalytic converter theft on Trollman Avenue. Officers located a suspect vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but a pursuit began through San Mateo and to Hillsborough.

Toward the end of the pursuit, the suspect vehicle's right front tire detached and bounced onto the pursuing police patrol car's windshield. Following that, the suspect vehicle collided with a large rock located in front of a residence on Baywood Avenue.

After the collision, three suspects exited the vehicle and fled the scene. Officers chased them, catching one, identified Hernandez Lopez.

Police said Hernandez Lopez kicked one of the officers in the face and continued fighting with the officers before they overcame his resistance.

Officers from Colma, Hillsborough and San Bruno responded to the scene to assist in the search for the other suspects. They remain outstanding as of Thursday evening.

Recovered inside the suspect vehicle were six freshly cut catalytic converters, three pipes used for inhaling methamphetamine and burglary tools.

— Bay City News contributed to this report