Man Believed to Have Fired Handgun at Benicia Cop Captured, Booked into County Jail

Benicia police with the help of officers from the Vallejo Police Department apprehended the only suspect in a shooting incident that occurred Saturday evening, July 14 on Tyne Court.

The suspect, 22-year-old Robert Flores Folster of American Canyon was apprehended in the vicinity of Miller Avenue and Springs Road in Vallejo at 7:25 a.m. Sunday morning. 

According to Lt. Scott Przekurat of the , Folster was seen walking in the area and was apprehended by officers from Vallejo Police Department and immediately turned over to Benicia police detectives who had joined the Vallejo officers in staking out the area.

“During an interview early this morning detectives learned he frequents the area around Miller Avenue,” said Przekurat.

Police are still unsure how Folster got to Miller Avenue.

The a Pontiac SUV for a minor traffic violation.  The officer learned that the car, driven by Folster, was reported stolen from the City of Napa.

The vehicle left the scene and pulled into Tyne Court.  Police allege that as the vehicle left Tyne headed back to Rose Drive, Folster fired a handgun at the pursuing officer.  At least three bullets struck the Benicia patrol car.

A woman who was in the stolen vehicle with Folster was later arrested and questioned by detectives from the Benicia Police Department.  Police have not released the name of the woman who has been released from custody.

Police have not released the name of the officer involved in the shooting saying only that the officer is currently on administrative leave.  This is the second time in less than a month that in Benicia.  

“The Chief (Benicia Police Chief Andrew Bidou) has been in contact with the officer who is a little shaken up but is doing fine,” said Przekurat.

Pzekurat couldn’t say why Folster felt compelled to fire a weapon at a police officer. “This is a continuing investigation and we don’t know that yet,” said Przekurat. “He (Folster) has some minor stuff on his rap sheet.”

Przekurat said officers retrieved a handgun in the parking lot of a condominium complex on Cambridge Drive.  The gun was reported stolen and officers believe it is the weapon Folster fired at the Benicia officer.  Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation he wasn’t willing to give any other details about the gun.

Folster has been booked into the county jail in Fairfield and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. 

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If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch.com.