Police Officer Abducted During Armed Robbery in California

Recently released body camera footage captures the alarming moment a police officer in California was taken by a robbery suspect and injured. The incident took place early in the morning on February 20 in Antioch, where officers responded to reports of an armed robbery at a FoodMaxx grocery store.

According to authorities, as officers tried to apprehend the suspects, one of them rammed a vehicle into a police car, triggering a struggle with law enforcement. During the conflict, the suspect accelerated, pulling Officer Travis Donaldson into the vehicle, causing a collision with both the patrol car and a nearby building.

Surveillance footage from the store shows a stolen Infiniti crashing through the front entrance as two men exited the vehicle, allegedly threatening a store employee with a gun. Within moments, Donaldson arrived at the scene, attempting to stop the suspect’s escape.

Commands could be heard in the footage, with officers urging the suspect to show his hands. Following the confrontation, the suspect, identified as Dominick DeSouza, drove away dangerously with Donaldson still inside.

Amid threats from DeSouza about crashing the vehicle, Donaldson warned him against such actions, emphasizing the risks involved. In an exchange, DeSouza mentioned having a family and the urgency of the situation. Donaldson pleaded with him to stop the vehicle, offering an ultimatum to reduce the threat.

Body camera footage then shows Donaldson firing a shot into DeSouza’s leg to save himself and others from potential harm. After sustaining injuries, DeSouza crashed into a parked car but fled on foot, only to be apprehended shortly thereafter. He was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Charges against DeSouza include kidnapping, burglary, and assault on a police officer. Fortunately, Donaldson sustained minor injuries in the ordeal.