Parolee arrested in attack on elderly shopper, police chief

Piedmont police arrested 42-year-old Willie Gomer on Friday afternoon after he allegedly attacked an elderly customer inside Ace Hardware and then the city's chief of police before attempting to flee.

Witnesses said that

Gomer, who is homeless and on parole for auto theft, robbery, kidnapping and multiple parole violations, struck an elderly man from behind at the Grand Avenue store. The victim lost consciousness and fell to the ground. The attack, which happened about 4:30 p.m. in the normally quiet and affluent residential East Bay neighborhood, appeared to be random.

The suspect fled to the garden center, attempting to evade capture, according to police. When located, he started to fight with police officers, refused to comply with their commands and appeared under the influence of drugs.

In an effort to subdue him, officers used both pepper spray and a stun gun.

But the suspect removed the stun gun prongs and escaped to a nearby home on Sunnyslope Avenue where he threatened the resident, police said..

He then ran out onto Valle Vista Avenue, where he was confronted by Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers, who had responded to the scene.

Ignoring commands, the suspect jumped into police chief's car and tried to drive away. When Bowers got into the car to prevent Gomer's escape, he was attacked.

Gomer was finally taken into custody and removed from the chief's car by additional units from the Oakland Police Department and a security guard.

He was arrested on charges of assault with great bodily injury, causing injury to an elder adult, battery of a police officer, robbery, burglary, carjacking, possession of narcotics and parole violation.

The elderly victim was transported to the hospital, where his condition is unknown. An officer who also was injured in the incident was treated and released at the hospital.