Ramona man jailed on suspicion of trying to kill police officer

A Ramona man is in jail suspected of attempted murder after shots allegedly were fired when a police officer attempted to pull over the vehicle in which he and another man were traveling, according to authorities.

The events that led to the arrests of Michael Rains, 28, of Ramona, and Daniel Schwartzel, 18, who claimed to be a transient, began shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, according to sheriff’s officials.

A San Diego police officer attempted to pull over the vehicle Schwartzel was driving in the vicinity of Espola and Poway roads because he suspected him of drunken driving, then heard what he thought was a gunshot shortly after turning on his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights, sheriff’s Sgt. Chad Boudreau said.

A few seconds later, the officer heard three more gunshots and saw a muzzle flash that appeared to have come from the passenger side of the vehicle, Boudreau said. The officer was not injured.

The officer then notified police officials, and deputies from the Poway Sheriff’s Station went to assist him, according to the sergeant.

The suspects’ vehicle was stopped near the intersection of Poway Road and Welton Lane when the deputies arrived and removed the two men from inside, Boudreau said. A handgun was found inside, and expended shell casings were located in the roadway, he said.

Poway Road was closed briefly in the vicinity where the shots were fired so deputies could conduct a search, Boudreau said.

Rains and Schwartzel were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Boudreau said. Both were booked into San Diego Central Jail and were being held without bail pending arraignment, set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to sheriff’s officials and jail records.

Boudreau said investigating detectives ask anyone with information to call the sheriff’s department at 858-565-5555.