By Mike Hazlip—
Sirens and heavy police activity could be heard traveling through Citrus Heights Monday night, after a home invasion robbery in Carmichael led to a lengthy pursuit that involved spike strips and attempts by a suspect to ram police vehicles.
Citrus Heights Police Lt. Michael Wells said in an email Tuesday that the pursuit began with a report of a stolen vehicle in connection with a home invasion outside the city limits. After the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department broadcast the stolen vehicle’s description to other agencies, Citrus Heights police located the vehicle near San Juan Avenue and Madison Avenue just after 7 p.m. Wells said.
The driver then led officers on a chase through Citrus Heights and Roseville, and along westbound I-80. The driver eventually stopped in Natomas almost an hour later, police said.
At one point during the chase, the suspect attempted to ram police vehicles. Police used spike strips in an attempt to immobilize the vehicle, Wells said.
Once the vehicle was stopped and surrounded by police, the suspect repeatedly asked officers to shoot him, Wells said. The driver was reportedly armed and under the influence, and family members told police the man was suicidal.
Police used de-escalation and less-than-lethal tactics with the driver for about 30 minutes, according to Wells. The driver was identified only as a 36-year-old male.
Police eventually fired a bean bag round at the vehicle, breaking a rear passenger window. Officers then fired gas rounds through the broken window and the suspect exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Sacramento County deputies made the arrest because the initial incident took place in their jurisdiction. In addition to charges filed by the sheriff’s department, Wells said the suspect will be facing felony evasion and assault with a deadly weapon charges from Citrus Heights police.
“Throughout this event, this dangerous subject placed members of the community and officers lives in jeopardy,” Wells said. “We are extremely proud of the response of our officers and their ability to bring this situation to a safe resolution.”
Read more about jurisdictional aspects to crime response in The Sentinel’s “Life on the Edge” series: Policing the borders of Citrus Heights
