Phoenix Police Car Hit By Assault Rifle Shots

A man fired several rounds at a Phoenix police officer after he allegedly kidnapped his estranged girlfriend early Saturday morning.

The intersection of Van Buren and 59th Avenue was closed to traffic early Saturday morning.

Just a few hundred feet away from the barricades sat a police car riddled with bullet holes.

“This particular individual stopped in the middle of the roadway, facing north bound, stops in the middle of the road, steps out of the vehicle and the officer begins to take multiple rounds into the vehicle,” said Sgt. Steve Martos, with the Phoenix Police Department.

According to Sgt. Steve Martos, the officer wasn’t hurt.

The officer was attempting to pull the suspect over for failing to stop at a stop sign, unaware 35-year old Angel Padilla had his estranged girlfriend in the vehicle with him.

Padilla took off, triggering a massive search and creating concern among residents who watched it all unfold.

Police said it all started in the area of 65th Avenue and Pima. The suspect allegedly kidnapped the victim from her home and police said as he was taking her, her three children called 911.

Neighbor Ty Stout didn’t hear the commotion take place next door at 3 a.m. but did recall previous incidents between the couple.

“The rifle has been retrieved, the vehicle has been retrieved and the victim has been [retrieved], she is at an area hospital…she sustained some injury,” said Martos.

Sgt. Martos said the woman called police herself from the area of 59th Avenue and Encanto, where she was set free and the search for her ex continued.

Police said Padilla will likely face several charges, including kidnapping and aggravated assault on a police officer.-[source]