By Mike Hazlip—
Citrus Heights police on Sunday arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of robbery, following a foot chase involving a police K9 unit.
The suspect allegedly brandished a firearm at an employee while committing theft from a local retailer Sunday, March 27, according to police Lieutenant Chad Morris. Officers located a replica firearm they believe the man discarded during a foot chase, he said.
Multiple agencies responded including officers from the Folsom Police Department, Morris said. The suspect, Erick Maldonado, was apprehended by a police dog. Witnesses said the suspect was under the Sayonara Drive bridge near the walking trail of Arcade Creek Park Preserve at the time of his arrest.
Police believe Maldonado is the same suspect in another incident Saturday night.
Police Corporal Justin Bridges told The Sentinel previously officers had responded to an apartment complex near Greenback Lane and Mariposa Avenue just before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26. Police received a report of an adult male with black pants, black sweatshirt, and red shirt possibly armed with a handgun in that incident.
Related: Report of armed man in Citrus Heights draws heavy police response, helicopter
Multiple units established a perimeter with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department air unit, but the individual was not located after a search of the area, according to Bridges.
At the time, police said the man did not reportedly threaten anyone or point the weapon at any individuals, and did not appear to be a threat.
Maldonado “required routine precautionary medical clearance” from an area hospital due to the police K9’s involvement in the arrest, Morris said. Police have forwarded the case to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office for prosecution.
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