BAKERSFIELD, California — Two men arrested after a shooting involving a Bakersfield police officer pleaded not guilty on Friday.
The Bakersfield Police Department says that Ramiro Jesus Molina, 23, and Francisco Rodriguez, 28, were arrested Wednesday afternoon after the car they were in hit a police car. Molina, the driver, was shot and hurt by a cop, police said.
Police were looking into drug trafficking in a parking lot near Monterey Street and Beale Avenue when the event happened, officials said. Police say they found about 3.5 pounds of what they think was methamphetamine in the car.
Molina is being held on a $1 million bail because he is accused of assaulting a police officer with a deadly tool other than a gun, conspiracy, and transporting and having drugs to sell. Rodriguez is being held on $500,000 bail because he is charged with plotting, transporting drugs for sale, and having drugs on his person.
Molina had a wrap on his arm when he went to court. The next court date for both guys is July 10.