Local News in Brief : Attempt to Run Down Police Results in Arrest
An 18-year-old man was arrested early Sunday after trying to run down two Simi Valley police officers with his car, authorities said.
Ralph Lester Seaman of Simi Valley was in custody at Ventura County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, attempting to evade arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.
A dispute between Seaman and another driver outside Simi Valley police headquarters shortly after midnight led to the suspect’s arrest, police said. When police attempted to stop the argument, Sgt. Ken Tacke said, Seaman tried to hit Officer Dave Weiner with his vehicle, missing him only by inches.
Seaman fled from the scene, and officers pursued him at high speeds for about two miles, police said. At one point, Seaman rammed his car into a police vehicle driven by Officer Chris Ward, narrowly missing another police officer, William Lappin, Tacke said.
Ward then fired one round from his service revolver, hitting the left rear tire of Seaman’s vehicle, police said. Seaman continued to try to evade officers for another block but was stopped and taken into custody at Larch and Dogwood streets, police said.
Seaman was treated at Simi Valley Community Hospital for minor cuts and scratches, Tacke said. None of the officers were injured.
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