Man arrested for throwing hammer at Chula Vista police officers

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A bicyclist was arrested for throwing a hammer at police officers in Chula Vista before riding away, authorities said.

Luis Ortiz, 29, was arrested and booked into San Diego County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) on a peace officer/firefighter with "force likely to cause great bodily injury."

The incident happened around 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28 in the area of a traffic light located at Brisbane Street and North 4th Avenue.

Two Chula Vista police officers were in a marked patrol car that was stopped at the traffic light. According to a news release from the Chula Vista Police Department, the officers heard the sound of glass shattering from the front passenger-side door of their vehicle.

The officers thought shots were being fired, but they realized it was a hammer that had crashed into their car's window, the department said.

According to authorities, the officer who had been sitting in the passenger seat had minor injuries due to the broken glass and was treated at the scene.

Two Caltrans employees who happened to see the incident from their work vehicle provided information for officers who responded to the scene.

Meanwhile, surveillance video from a business in the area was able to capture the suspect riding his bicycle to the area before he got off, threw the hammer at the window and fled the scene.

The suspect, identified as Ortiz, was later arrested. The Chula Vista Police Department Crimes of Violence Unit is investigating the incident.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or an anonymous tip via P3tips.