Arraignment set for attempted-murder suspect

An alleged gang member arrested last month for his suspected involvement in the attempted murder of two Redwood City police officers in 1998 will be arraigned in San Mateo County Superior Court in May, an assistant district attorney said Tuesday.

Alfredo Valencia, 32, remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail. His four co-defendants have all served their sentences in connection with the Sept. 3, 1998, home invasion robbery and subsequent attempted murder, according to Assistant District Attorney Morley Pitt.

The incident began when the group of five alleged “Sacramento Street Gang” members committed the home-invasion robbery in the 3500 block of Rolison Road early that morning, Redwood City police Detective Ed Feeney said.

The group stole nearly 50 pounds of marijuana from the residence, according to Feeney.

Redwood City officers learned of the robbery around 2 a.m. and quickly found a car that matched the description of the suspect vehicle, Feeney said.

The officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the occupants failed to comply and entered southbound U.S. Highway 101, according to Feeney.

Once the vehicle reached East Palo Alto, it stopped and three of its occupants allegedly fled the scene.

Valencia then crawled from the backseat into the driver’s seat and, as an officer approached the car, tried to drive away, Feeney said.

The officer was slammed into a parked car. He suffered from cuts and bruises, according to Feeney.

Valencia and the other defendant allegedly tried to run away. As officers chased them on foot, at least one of the two alleged gang members fired a shot at the officers, Feeney said. The officers were not struck.

One of the men was arrested that night and three others were all taken into custody within the following year and a half, according to Feeney.

Valencia remained at large until detectives received a tip that led them to believe he was in California. He was arrested in Lathrop on March 9 and made his initial appearance in San Mateo County Superior Court on Friday.

Valencia is charged with two counts of attempted murder with the special allegation of use of a firearm, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of robbery, one count of residential burglary, one count of recklessly evading police, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of committing a felony crime while being a member of a gang, Pitt said.

He is scheduled to appear in court May 6 for his arraignment.

The other four defendants were released from prison by 2004, according to Pitt.

Feeney said it is still unknown who fired the shot at the officers.

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