Visalia man booked on felony evading, assault on officer

A Visalia man was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading and driving a stolen car after a pursuit Friday.

He was identified as Kenneth Ray Johnson, 34.

A police spokeswoman said the incident began when two officers in an unmarked car noticed two men possibly planning a burglary at a church at Lovers Lane and Millcreek.

As an officer checked the car’s license plate, a man identified as Johnson slammed the car in reverse toward the officer, who jumped out of the way before Johnson crashed into a patrol vehicle.

Police pursued the car and Johnson ditched it at Lovers Lane and St. Johns Parkway as he and tried to escape on a bicycle. He was taken into custody in a nearby orchard.

Burglary tools and narcotics were found inside the abandoned vehicle, said the spokeswoman. Johnson was also booked on charges of hit-and-run after he reportedly hit another car during his escape attempt.