Man shot by CHP in groin sues
(KTVU) - Here's the Rap Sheet for Dec. 28, 2015:
MAN SHOT BY CHP SUES: A man who says he was shot in the groin by a California Highway Patrol officer near Martinez last year after a high-speed chase has filed a federal civil rights suit, alleging the officer used excessive force.
Terry Ferguson, 29, of Pinole was shot on the 4600 block of Pacheco Boulevard west of Interstate 680 about 9:45 p.m. June 28, 2014 after he refused to pull over, authorities have said.
The CHP said officers had tried to stop Ferguson because the Toyota Camry he was driving had expired registration, and Ferguson's driver's license had expired, authorities said.
The CHP had chased the car on westbound Highway 4 from eastern Contra Costa County. Ferguson got off the freeway and drove in a circuitous path in a neighborhood east of I-680, where the suspect let his 7-year-old son out of the car, authorities said.
During the pursuit, the suspect rammed a CHP patrol car and tried to ram a Martinez police car, sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee has said.
The chase came to an end on Pacheco Boulevard near Falling Star Drive when the suspect crashed into a telephone pole and parked vehicle, Lee said.
The suspect then exited the vehicle with his hands concealed in his waistband, Lee said.
CHP Officer Chris Davidson, fearing for his life, fired numerous shots at the suspect, authorities said.
No officers were hurt.
In his suit, Ferguson said he didn't want his son to see him get arrested and believed that his son would be safe at a friend's house, his intended destination.
"Mr. Ferguson was shot two times in the groin, once in the liver, once in his thigh and once in the bottom of the heel of his foot," his suit says. "Mr. Ferguson was also shot in the testicles, requiring multiple surgeries."
In court papers, lawyers for the CHP denied any wrongdoing in the case.
MARIN VANDAL SUSPECTS CHARGED: Three people have been charged in federal court with vandalism for allegedly defacing government property in the Marin Headlands, court records show.
Peter Clodfelter, James Cackovic and Tara Lynch were each charged with destruction of government property, conspiracy and possession of vandalism tools.
The incident happened on Feb. 23.
The defendants hiked more than a mile from the Rodeo Beach parking lot to a historical military structure located at Hill 88 in the Marin Headlands, according to the National Park Service. The building is located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The three had with them several cans of spray paint, felt tip markers and "other marking substances," federal prosecutors said in court records.
The region is no stranger to taggers. Just three days after this incident, two men accused of defacing a historic structure near Fort Baker near the Golden Gate Bridge had to be rescued after they fell down a steep cliff while trying to elude authorities. One man was pulled up by ropes, while the other had to be hoisted out of there by a CHP helicopter.
DA: CRAIGSLIST HOG SELLER BILKED BY FAKE COP: A convicted thief is due to go on trial soon on charges that he stole a motorcycle being sold by a South San Francisco man on Craigslist by pretending to be a Miami cop.
The incident happened on April 19, 2014 when Matthew Francis Bakun, 45, met the alleged victim, who advertised his 2007 Honda CBR 600 on Craigslist for $5,500, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.
When the seller met Bakun, the defendant "identified himself as a Miami police officer," wore a star or badge around his neck and "had an earpiece in his ear," authorities said.
Bakun asked to take a test ride and even borrowed the seller's $200 helmet, investigators say. The alleged victim didn't ask for a deposit "since he believed the defendant was a police officer," according to prosecutors.
Bakun showed the seller a Florida driver's license in his actual name, and the man took down his license number, authorities said.
Bakun rode off and never returned, investigators said. He didn't pick up on his cell phone, authorities said.
South San Francisco police learned that he has a 2013 grand theft conviction and has a long history of thefts and burglaries, prosecutors said.
He remains jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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