So this doesn’t fall under reasons to love West Sac, but maybe it does. Law enforcement did a great job of keeping West Sacramentans safe in this morning’s robbery car chase that landed two suspects in the Westmore Oaks section of our city. Apparently, two suspects were caught trying to break into an ATM at 16th and P Streets in downtown Sacramento and police wound up chasing them to West Sac.
The crash did a number of the suspect's pick-up truck, not to mention local streets.
The suspects ended up near the old Westmore Oaks Elementary School (now the College Preparatory Academy), and were shooting at police from their vehicle, according to a woman I talked to who lives a block from the scene. The silver Dodge pick-up truck then crashed into a fire hydrant right ouside the fence line of the school playground. One suspect was nabbed immediately but the other (the shooter) fled on foot. A police dog found him a couple streets away in someone’s garage and the police arrested him. Can you imagine having that person in your garage?? So scary.
The neighbor woman said she and her family heard the gunshots at 4 or 5am. Many neighbors woke to the sound of the police helicopter circling overhead with a spotlight. A voice over a loudspeaker told them not to leave their homes. A barricade was set up over a two block area near the crash at Grande Vista and Haverhill Street. The precautions lasted more than two hours until about 7:30 am with Sacramento Police, West Sacramento Police, S.W.A.T. , Sacramento CSI, police detectives and more at the scene. Most of the major news trucks were there as well outside the police barricade tape at the end of Deerwood Street, near the old high school (the new Westmore Oaks K-8).
News crews set up at the end of Deerwood Street near Grande Vista (near the old high school/Westmore Oaks K-8).
As soon as the second suspect was apprehended, I went out and took some photos. Also, I met Buck, the German Shepherd who found the suspect in the garage and saved the day, and his handler. I told Buck he was a good boy. I think her heard me, but he still seemed kind of wired up from the hunt.
A side note not covered in the news: the broken fire hydrant caused a stream of water flowing down Clarendon Street, almost flooding a few garages. The wonderful City of Sacramento Public Works Department were right on the spot and kept the damage to a minimum.
While some neighbors grumbled about this event hurting property values, I don’t agree. This crime started downtown and the suspects simply landed here. It could have ended up anywhere in the Sacramento area — from Granite Bay to Oak Park.
The scene on Grande Vista. Buck (the wonder dog) on bottom left with his handler.
It’s a good reminder — crime does not discriminate. Where it happens, it happens. West Sacramento was blessed with a happy ending this time. And for that, we can be grateful.
Flooding on Clarendon Street from broken fire hydrant.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, scary stuff is right. Nice coverage on the story!
wow great coverage on that story ((west sac chick))…….lol