Police

The neighbor who single-handedly detained three juveniles in the middle of the street after an alleged vehicle burglary Wednesday was aided by a personal firearm, a sergeant from the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) said today – adding that the Department prefers uniformed officers handle such situations. CHPD Sergeant Mike Wells made the following statement today in an email to The Sentinel regarding the Department's position on the use of firearms by residents: “The Citrus Heights Police Department appreciates citizens being aware of the incidents occurring in their neighborhood and contacting police when illegal activity occurs. However, we do not encourage residents to actively get involved with the detention of individuals suspected of crimes, particularly utilizing a firearm to accomplish this task...

Three juveniles were arrested early Wednesday morning after a witness' husband detained them in the middle of the street following an alleged vehicle break-in, according to a press release from the Citrus Heights Police Department. Police say the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on the 7300 block of Parkvale Way, where a neighbor observed the teens breaking into a vehicle. Officers found and arrested the suspects on Blackthorn Way and Tupelo Drive, where the witnesses' husband had caught them. Stolen electronics from the vehicle were discovered on one of the suspects, and the other two had property which police say appeared to be stolen -- although ownership is still being investigated. Police say the witness was able to identify the suspects, who range in age from 15 to 17 years old. The teens were arrested for possession of stolen property, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools...

Citrus Heights police said this morning that a four-car accident Thursday night was caused by a female suspect who fled the scene after running a red light and ramming another vehicle in the intersection of Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard. “Initial reports are that the driver of [a] Cadillac ran a red light and broadsided another vehicle,” said Citrus Heights Police Department Sergeant Bryan Fritsch, who indicated the suspect was driving at a “high rate of speed” on Greenback Lane and fled the scene on foot afterwards. He said the suspect had been identified as a woman in her thirties, but added, “the status of her arrest is unknown at this time.” The collision occurred just after 8 p.m. Thursday, partially blocking traffic at the intersection as about a dozen officers responded to the scene and diverted Sunrise Boulevard traffic to Greenback Lane. The driver of the broadsided Hyundai was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries, while drivers of the two other vehicles involved were uninjured, according to police...

Sacramento Sheriff's Deputy Danny Oliver was laid to rest Monday in Citrus Heights, after traffic was blocked on Greenback Lane to allow an extensive law enforcement procession to make its way to Sierra Hills Memorial Park & East Lawn mortuary, before continuing to Fountain Square Drive for a private reception at the Citrus Heights Community Center. Although attendance at the burial and reception was restricted, those wishing to pay tribute to the fallen deputy were invited by the Sheriff's Department to stand alongside portions of the procession route, with some doing so near city hall. "I wanted to bring my grandson out to see the camaraderie of law enforcement coming together," said Citrus Heights resident Sharon Day, who brought 3-year-old Jackson out to see the procession and pay respect to the fallen deputy...

Warning that October 31 is statistically “one of the most deadly nights of the year,” the Citrus Heights Police Department announced it will be deploying extra officers to the streets as part of a “DUI Saturation Patrol” operation this weekend, according to a press release from the Department. “We want people to remember: like ‘Trick-or-Treat;’ ‘Drink-or-Drive.’ One or the other, but never both,” said CHPD Sergeant Dave Gutierrez in a written statement to the media. “Before you take your first sip of alcohol on October 31, figure out who your designated sober driver will be.” Police say additional officers will be out looking for signs of alcohol or drug impairment beginning Halloween night and extending through the weekend, adding that drinking-while-walking can be “just as dangerous” as drinking-while-driving. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that among fatalities involving pedestrians in 2012, 34 percent involved the pedestrian being above the legal limit for blood alcohol content, while only 14 percent involved the driver being drunk...

Citrus Heights police arrested two suspects Saturday after officers responded to a reported bank robbery at the Sunrise Boulevard Wells Fargo, where a possibly armed suspect entered the bank and demanded money, according to Lieutenant Jason Russo. A press release by the Citrus Heights Police Department said the suspect fled in a dark vehicle along with an additional person, and was seen driving south on Sunrise Boulevard. The license plate for the vehicle indicated it was stolen, and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department was notified -- with deputies shortly locating the vehicle, although unoccupied. The Department says further investigation led officers to locate and detain two Rancho Cordova males, who are "suspected of being involved in the robbery" -- although the investigation is still ongoing...

The Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) announced Tuesday it was awarded $182,525 in grant money for a one-year special enforcement and education program, aimed at reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries in the city. “I am proud of our continued partnership with the Office of Traffic Safety,” said Lieutenant Ryan Kinnan in a press release, referring to past grants the local Department has received from OTS. CHPD says deaths and injuries fell significantly between 2006 and 2010 in Citrus Heights, but saw “slight increases” in 2011 and 2012. Kinnan is hopeful that “innovative strategies” funded by this latest grant will help reduce collisions and injuries in the city...