Suspect drove into patrol car, police say

A 34-year-old Glendale man was arrested Saturday night after an officer tried to stop him when he hit a parked vehicle and then reversed his Toyota into a police patrol car, officials said.

The officer wasn’t injured in the crash, but the driver, Armen Kirakosshirvanyan, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, assault with a deadly weapon and battery on a police officer, according to Glendale Police Department reports.

The officer was responding to an assault call just after 9 p.m. when he spotted a red Toyota Avalon, which matched the description of the suspect’s car. The Toyota Avalon ran a stop sign, swerved to avoid hitting a car and then struck a parked car near South Street and Concord Street, according to police reports.

The officer activated the patrol car’s lights and sirens and followed Kirakosshirvanyan’s Toyota.

The Toyota stopped briefly, so the officer pulled up behind him. That’s when Kirakosshirvanyan allegedly backed into the patrol car, damaging the front end.

The officer immediately stepped out of the patrol car and held Kirakosshirvanyan at gunpoint while waiting for backup.

Kirakosshirvanyan allegedly stumbled out of his car because he was drunk.

At some point, he held up fists and approached the officer as if was going to fight, according to reports.

-Veronica Rocha