Burglary Call Leads To Officer-Involved Shooting In Anaheim

ANAHEIM (CBS) — Authorities Friday were investigating a third officer-involved shooting in a week involving Anaheim police.

The most recent incident occurred early Friday around 3:15 a.m. when two Anaheim police officers responded to a burglary call at a club house near Melrose and Water streets, Sgt. Bob Dunn said.

Police say two suspects were trying to steal a washer and dryer.

While investigating the scene, the officers encountered a male suspect who immediately fled the scene on foot, said Dunn.

"As they began to pursue that suspect, a person in a vehicle became apparent to them. As they contacted that person, that suspect started the vehicle and accelerated towards one of the officers at which time the officer-involved shooting occurred," he said.

It is unclear if the car or suspect was hit before the vehicle fled the scene, he said.

"As far as we know, that suspect has not come forward to say he or she is injured. We have been in contact with the local hospitals and have no information on anybody coming to an emergency room with a gunshot [wound]," Dunn said.

The initial burglary suspect was later arrested with the help of a K-9 officer. He suffered a dog bite and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Police say the suspect, who is already on parole, was booked on charges of burglary and resisting arrest.

Both officers were placed on paid administrative leave.

Friday's shooting marks the third officer-involved shooting since Saturday.

On July 21, Manuel Diaz, who police have identified as a documented gang member from Santa Ana, was approached by officers around 4 p.m. in the 600 block of North Anna Drive. Police said Diaz and his two companions ran off, but an officer caught up to Diaz and shot him when he reportedly threw an unidentified object. However, no weapons were found at the scene and Diaz died at a hospital several hours later.

On Sunday, Anaheim police fatally shot Joel Mathew Acevedo at the end of a stolen-car pursuit. Acevedo, 21, who is also described as a gang member, allegedly fired at officers before he was fatally shot.

Both of the shootings fueled several days of protests in Anaheim over the past week.

Mayor Tom Tait met with members of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI Friday, KNX 1070's Jon Baird reports.

Both agencies will investigate the death of Diaz and all officer-involved shootings this year.

"I ask that our community be patient to allow their process to run its course, as we seek to learn what happened on that day, as well as previous incidents this year," Tait said in a statement.

Police are prepared for potential protests planned for this weekend.

"What we won't tolerate is law breakers, anarchists, people who come down for the sole purpose of either garnering a little bit of fame on television for five minutes, or destroying things, or hurting other individuals. There will be intervention by the police department. We will be taking you to jail," said Sgt. Dunn.

Resident Corie Cline said her brother was killed by Anaheim officers in 2007. She is now peacefully demonstrating, as she has done on many occasions.

"Let's keep this a peaceful protest. We have our freedom, we have our rights. Stop the chaos. This is where we live," she said.