Watsonville Police corporal nominated for RISE Award

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON JAN. 26, 2023 AT 1:31 PM- Watsonville Police announced that Corporal Issak Rodriguez has been named a nominee for the 2023 RISE Award.

On Dec. 15, 2022, Corporal Rodriguez and several other good samaritans lifted a stolen car to save an bicyclist who was pinned underneath near Main Street and Pacifica Boulevard.

Watsonville Police said you can vote once per day until Monday Feb. 6. There are 20 finalists for the award but only three will be selected.

The awards program is designed to honor three officers who have saved a life or shown exceptional service

To vote for Corporal Rodriguez click on this link.

Police and good Samaritans lift stolen car off trapped victim in Watsonville

The community came together and turned a moment of crisis into a heroic deed. Several police officers and good Samaritans lifted a car off a man caught in the crosshairs of a chase between police and a suspect.

Police said they attempted to pull Enrique Garcia, 22, for possession of a stolen vehicle on Honda near Main Street and Pacifica Boulevard.

As Garcia saw officers approach he got out of the moving vehicle and ran off. The vehicle continued to move and hit a 65-year-old cyclist, wedging him underneath.

That's when officers and good Samaritans jumped in to free the man. They lifted the car off the victim.

Police caught up with the suspected carjacker within minutes of the crash. Garcia now faces several charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless driving causing bodily injury and evading a peace officer with disregard for safety, according to police.

Police added the cyclist was listed in stable condition as of Tuesday and is recovering from his injuries.