An unlicensed motorist was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer for allegedly backing into a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer after the lawman stopped him for a traffic violation in Home Gardens.
Prudencio Xajil Alvarado, 55, was taken into custody about 9:30 a.m. and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside for the alleged assault, as well as alleged driving while intoxicated resulting in injuries and driving without a license.
Alvarado is being held on $50,000 bail.
According to CHP Officer Javier Navarro, the victim, identified only as a motor officer from the agency’s Riverside office, spotted the suspect’s Nissan Maxima on Indiana Avenue, just south of the Riverside (91) Freeway, and observed an unspecified infraction, prompting the lawman to conduct an enforcement stop.
Alvarado pulled over, and the motor unit stopped a short distance behind him, Navarro said.
“As the officer began to dismount his motorcycle to contact the driver, Alvarado placed the Nissan into reverse and accelerated toward the officer,” the CHP spokesman said. “The Nissan collided into the motorcycle, disabling it and subsequently causing minor injuries to the officer.”
The lawman immediately arrested the suspect without further incident.
“Alvarado displayed objective signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication,” Navarro said.
The officer was treated for his injuries but not hospitalized. The suspect was not hurt.
No background information on Alvarado was available.
Anyone who may have witnessed the alleged assault was asked to contact investigators at 951-637-8000.