Woman Accused Of Stealing Campbell Police Car, Injuring Officer Arrested

CAMPBELL (CBS SF) – Campbell police on Monday arrested a woman who allegedly stole a police patrol car, dragging an officer who attempted to stop her, after she and two other suspects intentionally struck another patrol car on Saturday.

After searching for Itse Murillo, 26, all weekend long, investigators were able to locate her at about 7:15 p.m. Monday on East San Antonio Street near South King Road in San Jose, according to Campbell police.

With help from the Santa Clara County Regional Auto Theft Task Force and San Jose police, investigators conducted a high-risk traffic stop and arrested Murillo, who was wanted on a $1 million warrant, police said.

She was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, auto theft, felony evasion, and conspiracy, among other allegations, according to police.

Investigators believe Murillo was involved in several vehicle pursuits with local law enforcement since Saturday. Earlier on Monday, before her arrest, Murillo was allegedly involved in a pursuit with officers in Los Altos.

During the pursuit, Murillo allegedly drove over several curbs and also struck a Los Altos police car as she fled, police said.

"We are thankful that Ms. Murillo is now in custody. Her dangerous and reckless behavior over the last several days posed serious concerns for the safety of the public," Campbell police Capt. Gary Berg said in a statement.

At 7:50 a.m. Saturday, officers had responded to a report of a possible auto theft happening in the 700 block of Sharmon Palms Lane, according to police.

Another caller told police they witnessed suspicious activity possibly related to the auto theft in a nearby parking lot at 2875 S. Winchester Blvd.

When officers arrived at the parking lot, they located a silver Acura MDX and white Acura Integra. The white Acura was the same vehicle reported stolen from the Sharmon Palms Lane location, police said.

The silver Acura then accelerated toward a police patrol car and intentionally rammed the vehicle's front end, causing major damage. The silver Acura caught on fire and Santa Clara County firefighters were called to the scene, according to police.

Two male suspects fled on foot and officers pursued them. A female suspect, later identified as Murillo, who was inside the silver Acura then exited the vehicle and got into a Campbell police patrol vehicle, which had been left unoccupied by an officer who was pursuing the male suspects, police said.

Murillo then closed the vehicle's door and an officer attempted to stop her. Murillo accelerated the patrol car in reverse, causing the officer to be dragged by the vehicle for a short distance before being thrown to the ground, according to police.

Murillo fled in the police vehicle and another police car pursued her. Police lost sight of her near Prospect Road and Lawrence Expressway.

The officer suffered head injuries and scrapes. He was taken to a hospital and has since been treated and released, police said.

Officers later located the stolen patrol car near Parkmoor and Meridian avenues in San Jose and confirmed that no weapons inside the patrol car had been taken.

Police learned the silver Acura that initially struck the patrol car was reported stolen out of San Carlos. Officers also said the suspects were involved in multiple burglaries in Los Gatos and Campbell earlier that morning, police said.

Officers were able to catch one of the male suspects who fled on foot. He has been identified as 22-year-old Anthony Reyes of San Jose.

Officer arrested Reyes on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary and conspiracy, according to police.

Officers are continuing to look for the second male suspect who fled from police, identified as Christian Hernandez, 35, who is wanted on a $250,000 arrest warrant.

He's described as a Hispanic man who is 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds and has brown hair, brown eyes and a receding hairline.

Hernandez was last seen wearing a dark top and gray sweatpants, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Campbell Police Department's dispatch center at (408) 866-2101 or their investigations unit at (408) 871-5190. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call (408) 947-7867.

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