A Ventura County man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to run down police officers after he crashed his sport utility vehicle into a local doughnut shop, authorities said. <\/p>\n
Additional charges filed against Frank Blessing, 58, of Simi Valley include assault against a police officer, vandalism over $400, and battery against a nurse or doctor, according to the Ventura County district attorney\u2019s office<\/a>. Further special allegations and aggravating charges include attempted murder of a police officer and use of a deadly weapon, prosecutors said in a statement Wednesday.<\/p>\n The charges stemmed from what authorities said was an attempt by Blessing to enter Donuts Plus on Erringer Road in Simi Valley at 3:30 a.m. on May 27.<\/p>\n Upon finding that the business was closed and that he could not get in through the front door, Blessing allegedly used his vehicle \u2014 a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV \u2014 to crash into the shop, causing extensive damage. He then backed out and fled the scene, authorities said last week. <\/p>\n Blessing was quickly stopped by Simi Valley police but allegedly reversed his vehicle into a patrol car twice \u201cbefore accelerating towards the officer,\u201d authorities said. An officer had to dodge the vehicle to avoid being struck, according to the district attorney\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n Blessing later ran into a wall, disabling the vehicle. He allegedly threw a knife at an officer and was eventually tased before being taken into custody, the district attorney\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe allegations describe a deliberate and escalating series of violent acts,\u201d Ventura County Dist. Atty. Erik Nasarenko said. \u201cUsing a car to allegedly attempt to murder a police officer is a heinous act that requires the strongest of consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n