Deputies detain suspect after standoff in Citrus Heights

By Sara Beth Williams–
A high-speed chase spanning two counties ended in a standoff in Citrus Heights with a driver wanted on suspicion of assaulting an officer, according to officials.

The suspect, believed to have been armed and wanted for assaulting an officer and making threats with a weapon toward another driver, led Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase from Roseville into Citrus Heights on Wednesday afternoon, according to an update from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office on X.

Sheriff’s officials told local news stations that deputies had been searching for the suspect for at least three weeks.

After causing multiple collisions at Antelope Road and Lichen Drive, as well as Antelope Road and Zenith Drive, the suspect’s vehicle was eventually stopped on Tupelo Drive near Antelope Road. However, the suspect refused to exit the vehicle. The white sedan appeared to have sustained significant front-end damage.

Heavy police activity could be seen on Tupelo Drive, near Antelope Road, in Citrus Heights. A helicopter circled overhead, and police could be heard making announcements on a megaphone. Multiple agencies responded to the scene.

The standoff between the suspect and law enforcement lasted for over an hour. Citrus Heights police reported that southbound Antelope Road and Tupelo Drive at Millwood Drive were closed in all directions during the standoff. Driveways into businesses on Tupelo Drive were blocked off by patrol vehicles, according to photos from local reports.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., an armored vehicle arrived to assist. A deputy was seen on top of the armored vehicle, his gun pointed at the sedan, according to local news reports.

The California Highway Patrol deployed helicopters to assist officers during the standoff. Police radio transmissions indicated that CHP was asked to alert bystanders to move back to avoid being in the line of fire, as the suspect was believed to be armed.

Later, Sacramento County Sheriff’s officials told local news stations that a weapon was not found, though they suspected it may have been discarded during the high-speed chase.

After over an hour, the suspect exited the vehicle and surrendered, according to reports from both local news stations and Sacramento County. Deployed airbags could reportedly be seen within the suspect’s vehicle, but it was unclear whether the suspect was injured during the police pursuit and subsequent collisions with other vehicles.

The suspect’s name was not released. No other injuries were reported following the incident.