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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
Officer who fired on suspects was shot in '06
CLOVIS -- A Clovis police officer who was shot three years ago by suspects in an attempted bank robbery was the same officer who fired on two men during a vehicle pursuit last week after the driver tried to run him over.
An investigation by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office showed that the pursuit, which began at an apartment complex near Barstow and Minnewawa avenues in Clovis, reached speeds of 70 mph before concluding near Willow and Tyler avenues in an unincorporated part of Fresno.
Clovis police were sent to the apartment complex when residents reported being threatened with a gun, the sheriff's report said.
The investigation found that police used a legal technique to bring the sport utility vehicle to a stop.
Lupe Nieto, 32, and Martin Espinoza, 18, both of Fresno, were arrested.
Nieto was the driver of the vehicle and tried to run over officer Drake Hodge, who fired at and hit both suspects, the sheriff's report said.
Hodge also chased and captured Espinoza, the report said.
The Fresno County District Attorney's Office will determine whether the shootings were justified, said Fresno County sheriff's spokesman Chris Curtice.
Both men have been booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. Nieto also will be booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, terrorist threats and evading arrest. It's unclear whether Nieto or Espinoza shot at officers.
Nieto is a wanted parolee and he and Espinoza are self-acknowledged gang members, the sheriff's report said.
Bail for Nieto is $350,000, according to Fresno County Jail records. Espinoza's bail is set at $260,000.
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