Man suspected of hit-and-run

Police arrested a Lakewood man on suspicion of driving under the influence after hitting a parked police car Saturday evening.

Charles Dennis Gilson, 67, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license.

Two Huntington Beach police officers were assisting a car that had broken down on Pacific Coast Highway and Seapoint Drive to shield the vehicle from oncoming traffic while it was waiting to be towed, said Lt. Russell Reinhart.

One officer was inside the vehicle using a computer and the other was talking to the driver of the stranded motorist when Gilson sideswiped the police car, tearing off the vehicle’s mirror, Reinhart said. Gilson then continued driving in his brown 1986 Nissan pickup trick down Pacific Coast Highway, officials said. The officers chased Gilson and finally stopped and arrested him at Pacific Coast Highway and Warner.

Gilson’s license was suspended for a prior DUI conviction. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in 2005 and was sentenced to 20 days in jail and three years probation, according to court documents.

Gilson made bail and was released from custody Sunday, officials said.

— Britney Barnes