Man allegedly fired at police during chase

The man accused of leading Vallejo police on a high-speed chase through the Bay Area this month before crashing and exchanging gunfire with officers in Oakland has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, court records show.

Dominic James Milano, 40, of Fremont, is being held without bail at the Solano County Jail.

Just after 1 p.m. on Nov. 1, Vallejo police responded to a report of a heavily armed man sitting in his vehicle outside a home in the Glen Cove neighborhood of Vallejo. The caller was a “credible” witness who knew the suspect well, police said. Milano was known to authorities, too, and officers’ arrival prompted him to flee.

The attempted getaway touched off a pursuit that hit speeds of 120 mph on Interstate 80, forcing drivers to veer off the road to make way. Milano allegedly shot a gun at Vallejo officers at some point during the chase, and police reported returning fire in Oakland near the intersection of 22nd Avenue and International Boulevard just before 5 p.m., when the suspect crashed his vehicle.

Milano was taken to the hospital the day of the incident and booked into jail nearly two weeks later on Nov. 13.

Vallejo Police Capt. Lee Horton said he did not know whether police shot Milano while the suspect was still driving his car but the captain noted such a maneuver would be “highly irregular.”

Milano had been wearing body armor at the time of the incident, and a search of his vehicle revealed a small arsenal. Police found an AR-15, an AK-47, an Uzi, a Glock 9mm handgun and Glock 40mm handgun.

In addition to the attempted murder allegations, Milano faces charges of evading an officer, felon in possession of a firearm and assault weapons charges.

Oakland police oversaw the criminal investigation and forwarded the case to the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, while Vallejo police are conducting their own internal probe.

Oakland police referred questions to Vallejo officials, who did not respond for comment Tuesday morning.

Milano has a long criminal history of assault and weapons charges, including another police chase. In 2008, a 29-year-old Milano led Fremont police on a high-speed pursuit and crashed into seven vehicles along the way, according to a report at the time.

Milano had a $2.5 million bail for his current charges, but the U.S. Marshals Service put a hold on his release. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 29.