Second East Bay cop was kidnapped on duty within two months, DA says

"Officer Travis Donaldson was trying to wrestle a robbery suspect out of a vehicle and the man stomped on the accelerator, throwing Donaldson into the car as the momentum pulled him in. Donaldson spent several minutes attempting to reason with the man and convince him to stop as they sped through city streets. Finally, the officer drew his duty pistol and shot the man in the leg, authorities said."

"The suspect, identified in court filings as Dominick DeSouza, 23, has been charged with seven felonies, including kidnapping Donaldson, assaulting another officer with his vehicle, robbery of a FoodMaxx where the incident started, and earlier, unrelated incidents of burglary, grand theft, and car theft, court records show."

"Last New Year's Eve, a man named Jonathan Vaca, 32, allegedly pulled California Highway Patrol Officer Timothy Brown into his vehicle during a traffic stop, then took off at an estimated 80 miles per hour down the freeway. Brown yelled at Vaca to stop, warned Vaca he could crash and kill them both, then drew his firearm and convinced Vaca to let him out."

Officer Travis Donaldson was attempting to apprehend a robbery suspect in Antioch on February 20 when the man accelerated the vehicle, pulling Donaldson inside. During the drive through city streets, Donaldson tried to reason with the suspect before drawing his weapon and shooting him in the leg. The suspect, Dominick DeSouza, 23, faces seven felony charges including kidnapping, assault with a vehicle, and robbery. DeSouza was released on bail four days prior in an unrelated domestic violence case. This incident represents the second alleged kidnapping of a Bay Area officer in two months, following a similar incident on New Year's Eve involving California Highway Patrol Officer Timothy Brown.

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