One Turlock Police officer was hit in the face and two patrol cars were rammed during pursuit of a suspect Tuesday morning.

Police officers spotted 23-year-old Daniel Loza at around 11:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Angelus Street. Loza was wanted for questioning and has been under investigation for numerous things, said Turlock Police Sgt. Nino Amirfar. 

Officers cornered Loza by blocking off the road with their patrol cars. When Loza realized that he was blocked in, he rammed two police cars then put his vehicle in reverse and fled onto Lander Avenue, Amirfar said.

One police officer whose car was rammed was able to jump into another vehicle to continue the pursuit, Amirfar said.

Officers caught Loza on West Main Street. He then proceeded to fight the officers and hit one officer in the face, Amirfar said.

Loza was taken into custody and charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, one felony count of assault and battery to a police officer and one felony charge of destruction of public property.

Two officers have minor injuries and the two patrol cars will most likely have to be replaced at $28,000 a piece, Amirfar said.

To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 624-9141 ext. 2015.