Police use force on suspect who put people in danger

The El Centro Police Department said it’s investigating a video that shows officers using force on a suspect who put several people in danger Tuesday afternoon.

The video shows officers beating 23-year-old Elizardo Saenz, an El Centro resident. It also shows a K-9 police dog attacking Saenz.

Police said Saenz was provided medical treatment on scene for a dog bite and cleared for booking by hospital staff.

ECPD said they are aware of the video that has been circulating social media. Officers said they take this matter seriously and a thorough investigation will be conducted.

ECPD said the incident stems from a call they received at 9:33 a.m. Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the 1200 Block of N. 18th St. The vehicle was described as a black Volkswagen. Officers responded but were not able to find the vehicle.

Then at 3:37 p.m., officers said they responded to the area of 1700 Scott Ave. after a family member located the stolen Volkswagen being driven in the area. Officers located the vehicle in the area, confirmed it was in fact reported stolen and attempted to make a traffic stop.

Officers said the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Saenz, failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

ECPD said during the pursuit Saenz drove through crowded parking lots at unsafe speeds before driving against traffic, causing several vehicles to pull off the road to avoid being struck.

Officers followed Saenz in the stolen vehicle as he drove west on Scott Avenue and onto a frontage road near 1002 North Imperial Ave. Police said Saenz again drove into oncoming lanes and struck a parked vehicle causing the stolen vehicle he was driving to hit the curb and come to a stop on the sidewalk where it was disabled.

Police said Saenz then exited the vehicle and ran west to the back side of a local business as officers chased him. Officers found Saenz and said he was physically combative. He was ultimately taken into custody.

Saenz was transported and booked at the Imperial County Jail. Saenz is being charged with felony possession of stolen property, felony evading with wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, misdemeanor hit and run and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.