Thursday, June 3, 2010

Santa Rosa, CA: Santa Rosa chase ends in suspect's slaying

Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, June 3, 2010

(06-02) 08:59 PDT SANTA ROSA --

A man was shot and killed by a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy at the end of a high-speed chase Tuesday near a Santa Rosa mall, authorities said.

The man was shot after he crashed his Volvo station wagon into a light pole outside the Coddingtown Mall and confronted a deputy "in a threatening manner" at about 5 p.m., sheriff's Lt. Chris Spallino said Wednesday.

The man was pronounced dead at Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa. His name has not been released.

The incident began minutes earlier when deputies investigated a report of a burglary at the apartment of the man's ex-girlfriend, Spallino said. The woman said he had stolen jewelry from her and had assaulted her several days earlier, when he was armed with a knife, Spallino said.

The suspect drove his Volvo past a deputy arriving on the scene, prompting a chase that began on Old Redwood Highway, Spallino said. The man drove at speeds topping 90 mph and weaved in and out of traffic for more than 3 miles, authorities said.

The chase ended when the man crashed at Guerneville Road and West Steele Lane near the mall, Spallino said. The man got out of the car and "acted in a threatening manner," prompting a deputy to fire at least one shot into his chest, Spallino said.

Spallino did not elaborate on what the suspect had done after getting out of the car. Authorities have not said whether the man was armed.

The name of the deputy who killed the suspect was not released. The shooting is under investigation by Santa Rosa police and the Sonoma County district attorney's office.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.

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