A violent California criminal desperate to get away by kidnapping strangers and stealing beer from gas stations led police on a wild chase through orchards last month – even pointing a stolen gun at a pursuing helicopter.
Jason Benson Dingler, 43, allegedly committed a series of petty crimes over a 16-hour period before officers shot the fugitive on the side of a highway near Modesto, surveillance and body camera footage released by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office showed Monday.
Dingler began his wild spree at a home in the central California city shortly after midnight on September 22, police said.
After loitering on the front porch for nearly an hour, a shirtless and dirty Dingler could be seen breaking down the door and breaking into the home while the homeowner was out of town.
Inside, he picked up “a firearm and several magazines of ammunition,” and changed clothes, Sheriff Jeff Dirkse said.
Dingler allegedly used the stolen gun for his second crime: a kidnapping and grand theft auto about fourteen hours later and just a few blocks away.
Jason Benson Dingler was shot by police after allegedly leading them on a wild chase through an orchard and opening fire on their squad car. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office
“Be a good civilian … I am active in the military. First battalion, second corporal, United States army,” Dingler was heard telling the victim as he held him at gunpoint on the porch of his home.
Dingler tried to calm the victim’s grandmother by telling her the hostage would be fine before leading the man to a pickup truck he later stole, according to police.
The thief is accused of immediately driving to a nearby market, where he turned into the beer aisle, grabbed a pack of Miller and Coors and ran out the door.
Dingler allegedly told his hostage that he was a member of the military before stealing his truck. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office
The clerk raised the alarm, eventually alerting the police to the criminal.
Deputies tracked down Dingler on Highway 33 and chased him as he allegedly sped 11 miles south, though he was eventually stopped after he sideswiped a public car, injuring the driver, and crashed into a roadside garden, police said.
Dingler took cover in a tree, but allegedly fired multiple shots with a stolen handgun in pursuit of deputies, as well as a sheriff’s helicopter tracking him from above.
Dingler is accused of pointing a stolen gun at a pursuing helicopter while running through an orchard. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office
“He showed us whatever he had in his hands,” the officer piloting the plane can be heard saying in the thermal recording. “I don’t know if he’s trying to shoot us or not.”
Police said Dingler fired multiple shots at the officers – even punching the tire of one of the patrol cars the deputies were using for cover.
Eventually, two deputies fired at Dingler, hitting him in the chest.
Two officers shot Dingler after he allegedly refused to listen to their commands. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office
After initially ignoring police orders to stay away from his weapon, Dingler eventually relented and allowed police to rush over to him and provide emergency services.
He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical, but stable condition.
Dingler has since been hit with several charges — including five counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, kidnapping, hit-and-run and reckless eluding.
Dingler was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office
Police say the California man has an extensive violent criminal history including convictions for robbery, rape and more.
The incident is still under investigation to determine if the police’s use of force was justified.
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