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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_05_20_OIS Review_1300 Bernard BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Williamson, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare Public Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2010 On 5/19/10, the Bakersfield Police Department Critical Incident Review Board met and reviewed the facts and circumstances surrounding the officer involved shooting which occurred on 5/14/10, in the south alley 1300 block Bernard Street. The Review Board concluded that the shots fired by Officers Jason Felgenhauer and Timothy Berchtold were within department policy and within state and federal guidelines. The Review Board consisted of Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, Captain Kevin Stokes, Captain Robert Bivens, Captain Joe Bianco, and Captain Hajir Nuriddin. Police Chief Greg Williamson reviewed the investigation and concurred with the Review Board’s findings. Original Release May 20, 2010 On 5/14/10, at 3:48 a.m., the Bakersfield Police Department received a report of an auto theft which had just taken place in the 700 block of Bernard Street. The vehicle was described, by the owner, as a green 1993 Honda. At 3:52 a.m., partnered Officers Jason Felgenhauer and Timothy Berchtold spotted the stolen Honda traveling eastbound on Bernard Street, from the area of the Highway 178 undercrossing, occupied by two Hispanic males later identified as Vincent Matthew Yzaguirre 20 and Anthony Bernal 19. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver, Yzaguirre, continued south on Miller Street and eastbound in the south alley 1300 block Bernard Street in an attempt to evade the officers. Yzaguirre turned north into the parking area for the apartments located at 1317 Bernard Street and stopped. The officers stopped behind the Honda at which point the passenger, Bernal, exited the vehicle and ran. Both officers exited the patrol car and began to approach the Honda in an effort to take Yzaguirre and Bernal into custody. Officer Felgenhauer, who was the driver of the patrol car, approached the Honda on the driver side to contact Yzaguirre and Officer Berchtold approached on the passenger side in order to pass it safely and then pursue Bernal. As they were doing so, Yzaguirre put the stolen car in reverse and began to accelerate rapidly backward. The right side of the Honda struck Officer Berchtold who was forced to hold onto the vehicle for about 5-10 feet to avoid being run over by the car as Yzaguirre was maneuvering it to get away. When he was able to get away from the car, Officer Berchtold fired multiple times at Yzaguirre believing that the Honda had also struck Officer Felgenhauer. Yzaguirre continued backing and struck the patrol car pushing it approximately 28 feet across the alley and into a residence driveway. After striking the patrol car, Yzaguirre put the vehicle in drive and began to accelerate, breaking traction and turning to the west. Officer Felgenhauer also fired multiple times at Yzaguirre at because of the assault on Officer Berchtold and his fear that Yzaguirre was going to accelerate toward himself or Officer Berchtold again. Yzaguirre continued west in the alley, initially accelerating rapidly but then slowed and coasted across Miller Street and into the front yard of 2114 Miller Street where the vehicle stopped. The officers followed the Honda, on foot, and when they contacted Yzaguirre he was not conscious. Medical aid was summoned and Yzaguirre was taken to Kern Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. At about 7:00 a.m., police received information that the outstanding suspect (Bernal) was walking in the area of Haley Street and Highway 178. Officers located Bernal and took him into custody without incident. Bernal was booked into the Kern County jail for auto theft, possession of stolen property and participation in a criminal street gang. Officer Berchtold suffered a minor injury to his left hand as a result of being struck by the Honda. Both officers will be placed on routine administrative leave. Yzaguirre was initially identified by this department and the Coroner’s Office as Johnny Vega 17 because he had used the name as an alias previously and his fingerprints matched that name. It was later learned that his true name is Vincent Matthew Yzaguirre and he is 20 years old.