CDFW: Man on drugs runs across Highway 99, tried to steal patrol truck
On Fourth of July, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officer had an unexpected encounter with a man on Highway 99.
The traffic stop led to multiple law enforcement agencies responding and a close call for many drivers on the highway.
Around 2 p.m. Saturday, a CDFW lieutenant spotted a man hanging on the outside of a truck southbound on Highway 99, just south of Avenue 384.
The wildlife officer initiated a traffic stop on the truck. As soon as the driver stopped, the man jumped off and the truck sped away, according to CDFW Capt. Patrick Foy.
The lieutenant spoke with the suspect, who showed signs of being under the influence of drugs, Foy said. During the interview, the suspect told the officer he was going to take his patrol truck.
The suspect was later identified as Gregory Barrera, 47.
When Barrera tried to steal the truck, a physical fight ensued, and the officer deployed his Taser.
Barrera went down, but when he hit the ground the Taser prongs disconnected. The 47-year-old man then ran across the southbound and northbound lanes of the highway while attempting to flag down vehicles, Foy said.
This caused several vehicles on the highway to almost lose control and dozens of motorists called 911. California Highway Patrol and Tulare Sheriff Department deputies responded to the incident.
Eventually, Barrera ran to a nearby gas station, east of the freeway, where he was later arrested.
"Thankfully, one of our wildlife officers was there to handle and made it through without serious injuries to himself or bystanders," Foy said.
The CDFW lieutenant was also exposed to pepper spray that the suspect had on him. Barrera's girlfriend sprayed him with pepper spray prior to the incident, Foy said.
Barrera was booked into Tulare County Pretrial Facility on suspicion of resisting arrest by threat or violence, battery on a peace officer, being under the influence of a narcotic, and attempted carjacking.
Barrera is also on active parole for carjacking, according to Foy.
His bail is set at $70,000.