Officer Opens Fire After Struggle With Suspect

A police officer fired a shot at a man Saturday after the suspect struggled with the officer and reached for the officer’s gun, police said.

The suspect, who was not hit by the gunshot, was bitten and cornered by a police dog soon after the struggle, according to Sgt. Richard Faust.

The man was identified as Rick Kevin Dobson, 31, of Tustin.

The police officer, who was not identified, stopped the man at 7:20 a.m. in the 1600 block of Spurgeon Street for a suspected vehicle registration violation. A check on the man’s driver’s license and registration turned up an outstanding traffic warrant, Faust said.

The suspect then struggled with the officer outside the car, attempting to take his gun, according to police. Unsuccessful, the man took off over a fence, Faust said. The officer said he saw the man reaching into his waistband and fired once at the suspect, but missed, Faust said. Shortly thereafter, a police dog cornered the man, who fought with the dog until he was bitten.

No weapon was found on the man, police said. Dobson was booked on suspicion of assault on a police officer, assault on a police dog, providing false information and other offenses.