VIDEO: Dramatic Arrest Of Vallejo Armed Robbery Suspect
VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- An armed robbery suspect was captured Friday by pursuing officers and a police dog after he tried to flee from his hiding place inside a charter school, authorities said.
The incident began around 7 a.m. when a woman was robbed near the Vallejo Charter School. The armed suspect allegedly pushed the woman down, jumped on top of her and stole her phone before fleeing the scene.
Arriving officers were told by witnesses that the man had run toward the school and had accessed a rooftop. The school was placed on lock down and all employees were asked to exit the grounds as officers established a perimeter.
Vallejo Charter School officials issued a robo-call, warning parents of trouble near the school and asking them to gather at a nearby middle school.
Sara Barfield was dropping her child off at the time.
"I was a little shaken up," she told KPIX 5. "There were helicopters and police."
Angela Romero, a 7th grader, was also shaken up.
"There were kind of scary moments, but at least it's all better now," she said.
As officers were searching the property, the suspect ran from an unoccupied school building. He refused to adhere to the officer's commands to stop and was ultimately arrested with the assistance of a police K9.
The suspect was later booked into the Solano County Jail. His identity has not been released.
As officers were investigating the school incident, a second armed robbery occurred at the IHAW IHAW restaurant, 40 Springstowne Center. As the robbery was occurring a patron inside of the restaurant assisted in detaining a male juvenile, who was solely involved in the robbery.
Officers responded to the restaurant and were able to safely take the juvenile into custody.
Officers are conducting further follow up to determine if these cases are related to other robbery investigations.
Anyone who may have witnessed these crimes or who has additional information is encouraged to contact the Vallejo Police Department at (707) 648-4524 or investigations@cityofvallejo.net
