
What, No Big Wheel To Get Away On?
SALEM, Ore. - A gunman who allegedly tried to
hijack a car was apparently no better at driving it than he was at maneuvering
his original vehicle: a tricycle. He also wasn't very handy with the gun.
Oswaldo Valenciano, 24, was arrested Tuesday and will be booked at the Marion
County Jail on felony charges, Lt. Dan Cary said.
Police were called after receiving reports that a man on a tricycle had been
firing gunshots and had slammed into a car, Cary said.
"The tricycle pilot picked himself up and demanded to be taken to the hospital,"
Cary said. But the driver of the car, Marion Rodriguez, tried to persuade
Valenciano to call 911, Cary said.
"At this point, Valenciano opens the rear car door and hops into the back seat
of Mr. Rodriguez's car, demanding to be taken to the hospital," Cary said.
"Mr. Rodriguez gets out of his car and starts asking people to call 911.
Valenciano then gets out, mounts his trike - and promptly falls over."
At that point, a police car arrived, prompting Valenciano to abandon his
tricycle and get into the front seat of Rodriguez's car, still armed with his
handgun, according to police reports.
"Officers saw the weapon and ordered Valenciano out of the car," Cary said.
"Instead he puts the car in gear and tosses a handgun out. He fails to notice
that the emergency brake is still set."
Valenciano eventually hit a street sign, lost control of the car and tried to
hide in a nearby sports utility vehicle, police said
Valenciano was treated at Salem Hospital for a leg injury and a gunshot wound to
his left foot.