Buena Park Police seek suspect in vehicular assault on police officer

The following information was released by Buena Park Police Department.

On Sunday, March 3, 2013, at approximately 8:19 a.m. a Buena Park Police Officer located a stolen vehicle, dark colored GMC Acadia, in the area of Magnolia and the 91 Freeway. A short pursuit ensued with the stolen vehicle eventually exited the freeway at Knott Avenue and the 91 freeway. After exiting the freeway, the stolen vehicle proceeded westbound on Noritsu Ave which is a dead-end street.

As the officer’s vehicle approached the stolen vehicle he observed two suspects inside. Fearing the suspects would attempt to flee on foot, he began exiting the patrol vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle which had already made a U-turn was now facing the officer’s vehicle. Upon observing the officer exiting the patrol vehicle, the suspect accelerated his vehicle towards the officer striking the patrol vehicle. The impact caused the officer to be pinned momentarily between the patrol vehicle‘s driver side door frame. The officer, though slightly injured, was able to continue following the suspect in his vehicle as it entered the 91 Freeway at Knott Ave.

The vehicle was quickly located abandoned at 7050 Valley View by responding units. An extensive search of the area and surrounding neighborhoods was conducted by personnel from multiple agencies including air support however, the suspects were not located. The officer was later transported and released at a local area hospital with minor injuries.

The suspect and driver of the vehicle, was later identified as Andrew Christian Stewart. The female front passenger has not yet been identified. Stewart is a known narcotics user and during the course of this investigation, Buena Park Police Detectives received information that Stewart was arrested two months prior by Orange PD officers for a weapons offense. During the time of that arrest he was in possession of a loaded firearm.

Stewart should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.