Fresno's latest officer involved shooting sends a robbery suspect to the hospital. Police arrested 32-year-old Octavio Angulo, 25-year-old Rene Bon and 31-year-old Juan Diaz.
The three suspects kicked in a door at a home near Cambridge and Blackstone in Central Fresno. Police say one of the suspects was wearing a ski mask and another bullet proof vest; all three were armed.
The suspects broke in close to dawn; neighbors were shaken after the attempted robbery. “The lady I live with says she saw the three people out there arguing,” says a woman that lives across the street from the home that was robbed. At the time, neighbors weren’t aware of the danger but say their dog sensed it. “The dog heard them break in; he barked. He was really angry about it.”
Police say the break-in looked planned; the three suspects were prepared. Officers say Juan Diaz was stationed in a getaway car while Octavio Angulo and Rene Bon approached the home. Police say Angulo and Bon used bolt cutters to break through the outside gate then they kicked in the home’s side door yelling "Fresno Police."
Inside the home was a family of five; the father escaped and called police.
When officers arrived on scene, the suspect’s car took off and the two suspects inside the home bolted. Police chased down Diaz and the car; two other officers chased Angulo and Bon on foot. Police say it was Angulo that pulled a gun and aimed it at an officer. “Officer says he was armed with a large semi-automatic handgun. The officer feared for his safety, fired shots and struck the suspect,” says Captain Dennis Bridges.
Police say Octavio was wearing a bullet proof vest; he was hit four times and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police say the three suspects had semi-automatic guns, zip ties, 2-way radios and a shot gun.
Officers believe the suspects were trying to steal a flat screen TV and jewelry.
The family made it out of the home but police say the mother was kicked and punched by the suspects. Neighbors said “it was scary, very scary.”
Police say two of the suspects are bulldog gang members. The officer that shot the suspect is on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Fresno police say they're investigating a string of robberies. They have found some similarities and are looking to see if they could be connected to Tuesday's incident.
Christina Lusby Reporting.
TXT 24
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