3 Car-Theft Suspects Held in Attack on Officer

Three men who allegedly stole an off-duty Burbank police officer’s car were arrested early Friday on suspicion of attempting to kill the officer, who approached them as they were breaking into another car, Burbank authorities said.

Officer Larry Hill was driving to work about 11 p.m. Thursday when he saw Miguel Avila, 20, of Pacoima allegedly breaking into a Honda parked near a Burbank intersection, Police Sgt. Don Goldberg said.

Hill got out of his car, flashed his police badge at Avila and ordered him to stop. When Avila did not comply, Hill drew his gun and Avila attempted to grab the officer’s weapon, Goldberg said.

As Hill and Avila struggled, a 1977 Chevrolet Nova drove up and one of the two men inside, Jose Gonzalez, 20, of North Hollywood got out and joined the fight.

The three men fought, with Gonzalez screaming at Hill to hand over his gun until the officer fired one shot into the air. Gonzalez and Avila then got back into their car and sped away, Goldberg said. But for unknown reasons, the two men stopped after traveling a short distance and got back out of the car, then ran toward Hill, authorities said.

Taking cover behind the officer’s car, Gonzalez pointed what appeared to be a weapon at him, and Hill fired at Gonzalez three times, Goldberg said. Police still are attempting to determine whether Gonzalez was armed or if he shot at Hill, he said.

After the shots were fired, Gonzalez jumped into Hill’s car and drove it toward the officer, who fired three more rounds into the driver’s side door, Goldberg said.

Gonzalez--in Hill’s car--and the two other men--in the Nova--sped away.

Avila and Fernando Garcia, 20, of North Hollywood were arrested after their car was spotted by a police helicopter. Gonzalez was arrested later at Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, where he had sought treatment for a gunshot wound to his elbow, Goldberg said.

All three men were being held without bail at Burbank City Jail. They are scheduled to be arraigned next week on charges of attempted murder of a police officer and auto theft, Goldberg said.