On February 24, 2018 at around 6:40 PM, RPD Communications Center received a call of a home-invasion robbery that just occurred in the the city’s Carriage Hills neighborhood.
A description of the suspects and the getaway car was broadcast on the police radio. While officers were on their way to the incident, RPD dispatchers broadcast another home-invasion robbery that occurred on Fascination Circle. Again, the description of the suspect and the getaway car were very similar.
While he was on the way to the calls, RPD Officer Ricchuito saw a car similar to that of the broadcast suspect getaway car. The officer also recognized the driver to be a validated gang member from Richmond. Suspecting the car was involved in the home-invasion robberies that just occurred, the officer made a U-turn to stop the car. As he did that, the car accelerated from the officer.
The car got on I-80 eastbound and sped up to over 100 MPH. The officer followed the car until it exited in Pinole and got back on I-80 westbound. Again, the car sped up to over 100 MPH and the officer lost sight of the car. Moments later, a local resident called RPD to report that a car had collided into a light pole at the McBryde Avenue off-ramp, and all 4 occupants had fled from the car.
Officers from Richmond, El Cerrito and San Pablo quickly converged the area for an area seal. Another local resident called in to report seeing three males hiding under a car. Before officers could get to that residence, the three suspects were seen running into a Vietnamese restaurant on San Pablo Ave. Officers quickly responded to the restaurant and took them all into custody.
The search continued when a helicopter unit from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) spotted a heat source near the location of the car accident. RPD K-9 Officer Reina and his partner Ranger responded and searched the area. After an extensive search, Ranger located the last suspect. The suspect was eventually taken into custody and taken to the hospital for his injuries.
A check of the area revealed two loaded firearms and the getaway car was a reported stolen car from a carjacking incident three weeks before.
The suspects – three juveniles (14 yrs., 15 yrs. and 17 yrs.) and one adult (20 yrs.) were booked for numerous felony crimes and the investigation is still ongoing, as the crew may be involved in other violent crimes in the past weeks.
The department is thankful that no officer or resident were hurt in this incident. We appreciate the help from the San Pablo Police Department, City of El Cerrito Police Department and CHP. We are also thankful for the local residents who teamed up and reported what they saw. This is a great example of community policing and teamwork that ended a spree of violent incidents.
Information provided by the Richmond Police Department
2 comments
Lowlifes. Gang related.
A clear voice for birth control
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