Prowling Suspect Shot in Arm During Arrest

A Santa Ana man suspected of prowling was in good condition after he was shot in the arm during a chase by a police officer, a Santa Ana police spokesman said Sunday.

Police Lt. Robert Jordan said Raymond M. Navarro, 27, of Santa Ana, was wounded in the right arm by a single gunshot fired by one of two officers during a pre-dawn arrest.

The incident occurred when police responded to complaints of a prowler about 3:30 a.m. in the 2000 block of West 11th St.

Jordan said Navarro fled after Officer John Oliver found the suspect hiding under a tree.

“As Oliver attempted to take the suspect into custody, Navarro resisted arrest. A struggle followed, and the officer’s gun discharged,� Jordan said.

Navarro escaped momentarily, Jordan said, by climbing over a fence. He was later cornered by a second policeman, Officer Jeff Launi, who also fired once at Navarro.

Jordan said Launi, who had heard the first shot, later said he shot at the suspect because he believed that Navarro was firing at Oliver.

Navarro, who was found unarmed, was arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, Jordan said.

Navarro was taken to UCI Medical Center where he was reported in good condition.

An internal police review, routine for officer-involved shootings, will be conducted, Jordan said.