Concord man detonates 2 bottles of gasoline in ‘Grand Theft Auto’ style SF police chase
(KRON) – A Concord man was convicted on eight counts after detonating multiple explosives while on a police chase from San Francisco to the East Bay, said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on Thursday.
Daniel Garcia, 42, left his Concord home on October 29 to attend 5 p.m. mass at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Upon arriving, Garcia approached a parishioner while they were praying and accused them of “ripping his shorts and demanded $50 from the parishioner,” prosecutors said.
The parishioner, who was kneeling in prayer, tried to ignore Mr. Garica, who then punched him twice on the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. Garcia then fled from the church in his car.
While fleeing the church, two San Francisco Police Department vehicles followed Garcia’s suit. Instead of stopping, prosecutors said Garcia slowed down and threw a pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline toward one of the police vehicle’s paths, engulfing their car “into a fireball.”
According to prosecutors, Garcia then threw a second pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline at the intersection of 8th Street and Mission Street, which again exploded.
SFPD officials continued following Garcia through city streets, “running stop signs, red lights, and driving on road shoulders,” all the way to the Bay Bridge and into the East Bay. At this point, prosecutors said Garcia was followed by three SFPD vehicles, three California Highway Patrol vehicles, and a helicopter.
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Garcia eventually blew out his tire while attempting to navigate a turn in Martinez, forcing the wheel to fall off and Garcia to pull over and surrender. Prosecutors said police found a third 40oz bottle in Garcia’s car.
While being detained, Gracia asked the police, “How many GTA stars do you think I had?” as a reference to the video game Grand Theft Auto, in which you earn stars based on your threat level and the number of police officers chasing you.
Garcia admitted on the stand he had built the three bombs in his home the three days prior to using them in San Francisco.
“Mr. Garcia time and again placed civilians and law enforcement in danger by choosing to construct dangerous explosive devices, transport them to San Francisco, and then explode them on city streets, not to mention assaulting an innocent man while he prayed in church,” said Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario.
“Mr. Garcia has shown no remorse for his actions, but the jury’s verdict ensures that he will face accountability for his unprompted violent and reckless behavior,” Mario said.
Garcia is currently in custody pending sentencing. Prior to sentencing, the court will hear and rule on an outstanding allegation that Mr. Garcia committed these offenses while on bail for another felony matter in another county. He faces up to fourteen years in state prison for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2024.
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