Wanted Oakland Man Arrested for Attempted Homicide in Merced After Ramming Several Police Cars and Attempted to Hit an Officer

Details: Last Updated: Friday, 08 September 2023 03:46; Published: Friday, 08 September 2023 03:46

September 8, 2023 - Merced, CA - Merced Police Department officials report that on September 7, 2023, an Oakland man was arrested after he rammed several police vehicles, and he struck one officer with his vehicle while fleeing. He was also found to be wanted out of Oakland for several warrants.

On September 7, 2023, at approximately 3:30 P.M., officers with the Merced Police Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted a traffic stop near E. Main Street and Yosemite Parkway. As the officers began speaking with the driver, Karen Walker (28), the passenger Wayne West Jr. (37) grabbed the gear shifter and tried to put the vehicle into drive. The officers attempted to open the driver’s door, but the occupants had locked them.

While the officers were trying to enter the vehicle, the passenger was able to put the vehicle into drive causing it to go forward and strike a police vehicle. West Jr. began to climb on top of the driver Walker and officers started breaking the window to gain entry. As Walker was removed from the vehicle, West Jr. was able to completely climb over the center console and get in the driver’s seat.

West Jr. reversed the vehicle striking another police car. While doing this he also struck a police officer with his vehicle. West Jr. sped off and entered the freeway going south in the northbound lanes. Officers did not pursue West Jr. the wrong way on the freeway to limit further risk to the public. Approximately 45 minutes later, investigators located West Jr.’s vehicle in the 700 block of W. 11^th St. As officers began to check the area, detectives found West Jr. walking near 12^th St. and U St.

West Jr. had several warrants out of Oakland, CA for robbery, armed carjacking, assault on a peace officer, assault with a firearm and a violation of probation. West Jr. was booked into the Merced County Jail for his warrants as well as attempted homicide on a peace officer, evading arrest, and resisting and obstructing peace officers.

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Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Officer Saldivar at 209-388-7735 or by email at SaldivarJ@CityofMerced.org.