07/22/14 Burr Ridge, CA – Disturbance Call – Female Punches Police Officer In Face – Jumps Into Officer’s Patrol Car – Tries To Steal Patrol Car – Tased

July 22, 2014

burrridge.suntimes.com

A California woman was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer after she allegedly punched a Burr Ridge officer in the face and tried to steal his patrol car.

About 3:20 p.m. July 10, the police responded to a report of a disturbance on the 9200 block of Falling Waters Drive East in Burr Ridge.

Vidya A. Mahendran, 28, of 14720 Lassen St., Mission Hills, Calif., was seen driving away in a 2008 Hummer that had been parked on the street with the keys inside.

As officers talked to people at the scene, Mahendran, who was visiting relatives in the area, apparently drove out of the subdivision onto 91st Street. She then abandoned the Hummer on the side of the road and walked away.

An officer located her and when he tried to talk to her, she jumped in his vehicle but could not get it started, Deputy Police Chief Marc Loftus said.

“She refused to exit the vehicle and punched the officer in the face two times,” Loftus said.

The officer then used his Taser to take her into custody.

Mahendran was taken to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital for an evaluation, unrelated to the Taser, and admitted, Loftus said.

The officer was not seriously injured, Loftus said.

When Mahendran was released from the hospital, she turned herself in at the police station on July 17, where she was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, attempted unlawful possession of a vehicle, resisting a police officer and aggravated battery to a police officer.