ESCONDIDO, CA:
Man who allegedly assaulted two officers held on $200K bail

Officers were punched, bitten by assailant after responding to crash scene

By EDWARD SIFUENTES - esifuentes@nctimes.com
North County Times - The Californian
Posted: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 6:38 pm

A man who allegedly assaulted two Escondido police officers Monday was being held on $200,000 bail Tuesday, authorities said.

Florencio Saldivar Hernandez, 35, of Escondido allegedly attacked the officers who responded to a traffic crash on Vista Verde Way and Loreto Glen, said Lt. Craig Carter. The officers were Tim Kelly, an 11-year veteran of the department, and Chris Leso, a six-year veteran, Carter said.

Both officers received medical treatment for injuries they received during the attack, including punches to the face and body. One of the officers was bit in one hand, the lieutenant said.

Carter said he did not know whether either officer would need further treatment.

About 10:50 a.m., the officers went to the scene of a crash, police said. They found a truck had crashed into a wooden barrier and had gotten stuck in mud.

About an hour later, Saldivar allegedly came out of some nearby trees. The officers asked him if he was the driver, but Saldivar allegedly made a sign of the cross and took a fighting stance, Carter said.

The officers told him to keep his distance, but Saldivar allegedly refused and attacked them.

One officer used a Taser in an attempt to subdue him, but Saldivar continued to fight. During the attack, he allegedly grabbed the officer's Taser and attempted to shoot the officers with it, Carter said.

Saldivar was booked into the Vista jail on charges including resisting arrest resulting in an injury to an officer, taking a weapon from a police officer, and driving under the influence.

Immigration authorities also placed a hold on Saldivar, who was previously deported from the country.

Saldivar was expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

Call staff writer Edward Sifuentes at 760-740-3511.

NORTH COUNTY TIMES