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SAN LEANDRO — A suspected child molester was behind bars Tuesday on suspicion of attempted murder after he rammed a patrol car and injured an officer during a pursuit over the weekend, police said.
Joseph Banner, 48, of San Leandro, turned himself in to police on Monday in connection with an incident that began just before 7:50 p.m. on Sunday, said Lt. Jeff Tudor.
Officers had visited Banner's home to arrest him in connection to a slew of felony sex crimes he reportedly participated in over a 12-year period. When officers arrived at the home, Banner was in his teal-colored extended cab Ford pickup truck and drove away, with police in pursuit.
Banner stopped his vehicle in the 500 block of Tudor Road, exited the truck, then got back in and intentionally rammed a patrol car, police said. The collision caused an officer to fall and be dragged underneath the car door. Afterward, Banner fled on foot.
The injured officer had moderate injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital and was treated and released, police said.
During a search, a detective called the suspect on his cell phone and Banner said he was armed with a handgun, Tudor said. The San Leandro Police Department SWAT Team was activated and several homes and the surrounding areas were searched but Banner wasn't found.
Then on Sunday, Banner turned himself, was taken into custody and booked into the Santa Rita Jail. His booking sheet shows he was arrested on
As of Tuesday he was being held without bail. Jail records show he's due in court to be arraigned Wednesday.
Anyone with information regarding this case can call 510-577-3241 or contact the Anonymous Tip Line at 510-577-3278. Anonymous tip can also be made by texting the word SLPD and the tip to 847411.
Contact Natalie Neysa Alund at 510-293-2469. Follow her at Twitter.com/nataliealund.
