Pico Rivera man accused of hit-and-run, assault against off-duty sheriff’s deputy in Whittier

WHITTIER — A Pico Rivera man fled the scene after crashing into an off-duty sheriff’s deputy Saturday, then assaulted the deputy when confronted, authorities said.
Abel Salvador Villa, 37, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run following his arrest about six hours after the collision, which occurred about 1:30 p.m. in the 5400 block of Mavis Avenue, according to Whittier police Lt. Mike Przybyl and county booking records.
He sideswiped the deputy’s personal vehicle and continued driving, the lieutenant said.
The off-duty deputy managed to get the man to pull over a short distance away, he said.
“The person who hit him assaulted or attempted to assault the off-duty deputy,” Przybyl said. The lieutenant said he did not have further details regarding the assault, but the off-duty deputy was not injured.
Officers set up a search perimeter, but ultimately gave up the search without finding the suspect, Przybyl said.
But at about 7:30 p.m., a resident of the nearby 5400 block of Adele Avenue called police to report they believed someone was underneath a house.
Police and sheriff’s deputies responded, and Villa complied with their commands to some out from under the home and surrender.
According to county booking records, Villa was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance.

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