San Jose

San Jose Stolen Car Suspect Arrested Inside Toys ‘R' Us Store After Police Open Fire on Vehicle

Police opened fire on the suspect after he started ramming other vehicles, including a patrol car, authorities said.

San Jose police opened fire during the pursuit of a suspected car thief who ran into a Toys 'R' Us store where he was arrested Tuesday afternoon, authorities said, but not before the man rammed into parked cars and a police cruiser.

Police didn't immediately say if the suspect, who was taken to an area hospital, was wounded by gunfire.

The entrance to the Toys 'R' Us, near the Westfield Oakridge mall, remained taped off at about 3 p.m. PT, hours after the incident began, with store employees sitting around outside waiting and a damaged Chevrolet Suburban parked outside the store entrance.

One witness said the vehicle, described as a black Chevy SUV, sped into the store parking lot doing "about 90" mph. 

A woman identified only as Christina, who said she is friend's with the SUV owner, said, "He was going fast. I mean he plowed into here."

The incident started with a report of a stolen car, police said. The victim reported spotting his vehicle being driven near the corner of Thornwood Way and Winfield Boulevard at 12:53 p.m., authorities said, and police were dispatched to the area, which is near the mall, shortly before 1 p.m.

When police arrived, they spotted the apparently stolen vehicle being driven on Blossom Hill Road near Almaden Expressway.

The car took off after police attempted a car stop, ramming other vehicles, police said, including a patrol car. At that point, police fired shots in the direction of the suspect’s vehicle, authorities said. Later inspection showed four bullet holes marking the driver's side door. 

According to police, the suspect then got out of the stolen vehicle and ran into the toy store, almost knocking over a shopper in a hurry. The man also changed into a Toys 'R' Us t-shirt, witnesses said, but police spotted and quickly arrested him.

"He had a black bag and I thought he might be armed, might take us for hostage," said a worried shopper who identified himself as Frank.

Both lanes of Blossom Hill Road were reopened Tuesday night. 

Authorities said the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit would take over the investigation.

NBC News' Andrew Blankstein and Bay City News contributed reporting.

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