Frank Blessing, 58, of Simi Valley, has been charged with attempted murder after authorities say he crashed a Chevrolet Tahoe into a Donuts Plus early on May 27 and then allegedly reversed into a patrol car before accelerating toward an officer.
At 3:30 a.m. on May 27. Frank Blessing showed up at Donuts Plus on Erringer Road in Simi Valley with one goal—authorities say he tried to get inside a closed doughnut shop. When he couldn’t get in through the front door. he allegedly used his vehicle to force his way in. crashing a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV into the business and causing extensive damage.
Prosecutors say the violence didn’t end with the impact. After the crash, Blessing allegedly backed out and fled the scene, only to be stopped quickly by Simi Valley police. In the moments that followed. authorities say he reversed the SUV into a patrol car twice “before accelerating towards the officer.” An officer had to dodge to avoid being struck. according to the Ventura County district attorney’s statement.
The charges filed against Blessing add up to a case prosecutors describe as escalating and deliberate. The Ventura County district attorney’s office says he was charged with attempted murder, assault against a police officer, vandalism over $400, and battery against a nurse or doctor.
Prosecutors also filed special allegations and aggravating charges, including attempted murder of a police officer and use of a deadly weapon, according to the statement released Wednesday.
After his SUV allegedly hit a wall and became disabled, Blessing was arrested after more violence, authorities said. The district attorney’s office said he later allegedly threw a knife at an officer. He was then tased before being taken into custody.
Ventura County Dist. Atty. Erik Nasarenko said, “The allegations describe a deliberate and escalating series of violent acts.” He added, “Using a car to allegedly attempt to murder a police officer is a heinous act that requires the strongest of consequences.”
Blessing is being held without bail after prosecutors argued that he continues to be a danger to the community. according to reporting from KTLA. The case has put the focus squarely on the sequence prosecutors say began with a closed storefront and ended with a would-be attack on officers—an alleged chain of choices authorities say escalated minute by minute.
Simi Valley attempted murder Donuts Plus Frank Blessing police officer Chevrolet Tahoe Ventura County district attorney
Why was the doughnut shop even closed at 3:30am? Like dude probably just wanted a glaze.
Attempted murder over donuts… I can’t. Also reversing into a patrol car twice?? That’s just wild, like he was trying to play bumper cars with cops.
So wait, they say he threw a knife at an officer but he also hit a wall and got disabled? I feel like the timing doesn’t make sense. Like if the SUV was disabled how he still reversed and then accelerated? Maybe it was two different guys or something.
No bail is the right move but I’m also stuck on the “battery against a nurse or doctor” part. Did the nurse/doctor show up right after the car crash like at 4am or what? News makes it sound random. Either way, throwing the knife and using a car as a weapon is beyond insane.