California deputy finds missing boat, fires at man

An Orange County, Calif., deputy sheriff picking up breakfast at a fast-food restaurant in Las Vegas was surprised when he saw his stolen boat attached to a pickup truck getting gas at a nearby convenience store.

Metro Police Sgt. Kevin Manning said the off-duty officer opened fire on the driver of the pick-up when the driver apparently tried to run over him.

Manning said the boat came loose from the pick-up a short distance from the shooting scene and the suspect left the scene.

The identity of the California deputy sheriff was not released.

Manning said the boat had been stolen the weekend of Aug. 15 while the officer and his family were vacationing in Laughlin.

When the deputy's father had a heart attack, the boat was left at a hotel parking lot. When the deputy returned to the hotel several days later the boat was gone.

Manning said the deputy and his family returned to Las Vegas this past weekend to visit his father, who still is being treated at University Medical Center.

According to Manning the driver of the pickup truck was inside the convenience store at the service station when the deputy parked in front of the suspect's pick-up truck.

The deputy reportedly went inside the store and told the clerk to call 9-1-1, but the clerk failed to do so. While the deputy was waiting for Metro Police, the suspect finished filling up his truck and was about to leave when the deputy identified himself and showed his badge. The driver of the truck then allegedly drove at the deputy.

archive