Ocoee police said a man one of their officers is recovering from minor injuries after a suspect rammed a stolen car into the officer’s patrol truck Monday evening.
It happened around 8:15 p.m. when an officer observed the vehicle, a stolen silver 2012 Audi, in the 400 block of West Silver Star Road near a convenience store.
Officials said Gregoria Salazar then entered the vehicle and accelerated toward the officer, who had angled his patrol vehicle in front of the stolen vehicle.
Salazar, who was accompanied with a female passenger, struck the police truck, which injured the officer’s hand as he attempted to avoid being hit, according to police.
Officers were later able to apprehend Salazar and his passenger after a short chase near an entrance ramp on State Road 408.
Salazar faces charges of grand theft auto, attempted battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, along with other charges pending the completion of the investigation.
A judge set Salazar’s bond Tuesday at $10,600.
Records show Salazar has a history of felony charges in Orange County including drug and violence changes.
The passenger, Nicole Blankenship, faces charges of trespass in a conveyance and resisting without violence. Her bond was set at $750.