Police officer happens upon robbery, police dog finishes the job

CITRUS HEIGHTS – On Friday evening, a Citrus Heights police officer happened to enter a business in the 7000 block of Auburn Blvd., and practically bumped into  a man who had just robbed the store.

Kenneth Sanders

As the suspect quickly fled, the employees told the officer that the man had just robbed them of an undermined amount of cash, and had displayed what appeared to be a weapon to them. According to a Citrus Heights Police press release, the officer was able to see the suspect flee in a Jeep SUV, and he immediately alerted other officers via radio.

Citrus Heights officers quickly located the suspect driving near Mariposa and Highland, and attempted to stop him. The suspect, who was later identified as Kenneth Sanders, 28, refused to pull over and led the officers on a short chase. He abandoned the Jeep at Prince Street and Mariposa and attempted to flee on foot. While the officers quickly caught up with him, he continued to resist arrest. One of the pursuing officers happened to be a Citrus Heights Police K9 unit, and the dog was put to use, which stopped Sanders’ resistance and he was taken into custody.

Sanders abandoned the Jeep at Prince and Mariposa and tried to get away

A Sacramento Metro Fire Department unit was brought in to treat the wounds on his leg from his encounter with the police dog, and he was transported to a local hospital to complete his treatment for his injuries.

The money he robbed from the business was recovered in the Jeep and in the area he was running while trying to evade capture. He was booked into Sacramento County Jail for robbery, evading police and resisting arrest. No weapons were found on him or in the vehicle.