After Lethal Force Encounter in Rancho Cucamonga, Robbery Suspect Leads Deputies in a Pursuit That Ends in Pomona
DATE/TIME: August 20, 2022 / 8:45 p.m.
INCIDENT: PC211- Armed Robbery, PC 664/187(a) – Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer, Lethal Force Encounter (LFE)
LOCATION: PetSmart, 10940 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga
SUSPECT: Samuel Smith, 26-years-old, Resident of Arizona
VICTIM(S): Confidential
SUMMARY:
On Saturday, August 20, 2022, at approximately 8:45 p.m., deputies from the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station responded to PetSmart on Foothill Boulevard regarding an armed robbery. The suspect, later identified as Samuel Smith, entered the store, and demanded money from the cashier at gunpoint. The Violent Crimes Task Force of Orange County, confronted Smith in the parking lot. As officers approached, Smith shot multiple times at them, and a lethal force encounter (LFE) occurred.
Smith, who was not struck by gunfire, fled in his vehicle. Deputies from Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station pursued him through surface streets for several miles. The pursuit eventually entered the city of Pomona, where a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) was conducted. Smith’s vehicle came to rest and Smith was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and transported Smith to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition. No officers or deputies were injured during the incident.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division responded and assumed the investigation.
Agents from Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm (ATF) assumed custody of Smith and are filing numerous federal charges against him.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4908. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com
Refer: Detective Eric Ogaz
Station: Specialized Investigations Division
Phone No. 909-890-4908
Case No. DR#112209776 H#2022-105
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700