Officer-assault suspect arrested

A 20-year-old Carson City man, accused of driving a sport utility vehicle into a Washoe Tribal Police cruiser, was arrested April 29 in Palm Springs, Calif., following a chase in a stolen vehicle.

Douglas County Sheriff's Capt. Steve Orr said Robert Michael Hernandez was arrested early Sunday and was set for a court appearance May 14.

"He was in a stolen vehicle," Orr said Thursday. "He ran from police and a pursuit ensued.

"He was arrested and charged with grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, evading police and our fugitive warrant out of Douglas County."

He said he expects Hernandez, subject of a $100,000 nationwide warrant, to be extradited to Douglas County in June.

Hernandez, the stepson of Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira, is accused of driving a sport utility vehicle into a Washoe Tribal Police cruiser on March 12. He remained at-large until his arrest this week.

He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and felony eluding in the Douglas County case.

The SUV was spotted at about 3 a.m. March 12 in Stewart where Washoe Tribal Police attempted to stop the vehicle due to careless operation and its speed.

When they tried to make a traffic stop, the SUV took off.

Officers pursued the vehicle into Indian Hills, catching up to it in a cul-de-sac on Agate Court. Tribal officers tried to box the car in, but it turned back toward officers and rammed a police cruiser.

The vehicle veered toward an officer on foot, and, fearing for his safety, the Tribal Police officer fired three shots at the SUV.

Hernandez and a passenger, identified as Fidel Fuentes, 24, fled the vehicle on foot.

Fuentes, charged with possession of stolen property and obstructing a police officer, is set for a preliminary hearing June 8 in East Fork Justice Court.

He was jailed in Douglas County on $35,500 bail, but has been returned to Carson City Jail where he is being held until September on a probation violation.