Antioch cop and suspect end up in same car as life-or-death struggle is caught on camera

Body-cam footage recently released to the public sheds light on a harrowing incident involving an Antioch officer who found himself in a life-or-death struggle during a robbery suspect’s high-speed getaway.

The events unfolded around 5:16 a.m. on Feb. 20 when officers responded to a 911 call reporting a robbery in progress at a FoodMaxx store on the 4500 block of Lone Tree Way. The caller indicated that at least one suspect was armed and had made threats, prompting a swift police response.

Upon arrival, officers were met with a chaotic scene as a black SUV backed into the store’s entrance, allowing three individuals, one of whom was reportedly armed, to exit and attempt to steal alcohol. Fortunately, no employees were harmed during the incident.

One of the suspects, later identified as 23-year-old Dominick Desouza, escalated the situation by ramming his SUV into a patrol car as officers closed in on him. What followed was a dangerous confrontation that quickly spiraled out of control.

As Desouza attempted to flee the scene, an officer on foot engaged him near the vehicle. However, the suspect accelerated, pulling the officer inside the moving SUV. The vehicle crashed into a patrol car and the storefront before speeding off, with the officer trapped in the passenger seat.

For approximately two miles, Desouza drove erratically through city streets with the officer still in the vehicle. Body camera footage captured the tense moments as the officer repeatedly warned Desouza to stop the car or face consequences. Despite the officer’s commands, Desouza refused to comply, leading to a standoff.

Desouza, in a desperate bid to evade capture, disregarded the officer’s warnings and continued driving at high speeds. Fearing for his safety, the officer ultimately fired his service weapon, striking Desouza in the leg. The SUV eventually crashed into a parked car in a residential neighborhood, prompting Desouza to flee on foot. He was apprehended shortly after, claiming he had been shot.

Desouza was taken into custody and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, while the officer sustained minor injuries during the ordeal. The two other suspects involved in the initial confrontation managed to flee the scene and have yet to be apprehended.

Desouza now faces a slew of charges, including kidnapping, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, burglary, grand theft, and unlawful vehicle taking. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.

The case is currently under review by the Antioch Police Department and the district attorney’s office as part of the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol. The outcome of the investigation will determine the next steps in this high-stakes and dangerous situation.