Suspected car thief fatally shot after ramming Colton patrol cars

Colton police shot and killed the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle who rammed into two police cars after a chase early Wednesday morning that ended in neighboring San Bernardino, authorities said.

The incident ended about 1:30 a.m. on Mill Street near Meridian Avenue.

Colton police Det. Ray Mendez said police officers first noticed the stolen car within Colton city limits and gave chase, attempting to stop it. But after it crossed into San Bernardino, the suspected thief rammed the police cars and that “resulted in an officer-involved shooting,” he said.

Mendez said he did not know how many officers may have fired or how many rounds may have been fired. He said the suspect died at the scene.

A female passenger was treated for minor injuries and was being detained for questioning, he said.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation. A spokeswoman for the sheriff said it was too soon to comment because detectives were still gathering information.

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-- Larry Gordon