OAKLEY — Two suspected mail thieves got caught anyway, despite an aborted car chase. They crashed the stolen getaway car into a pole, and police quickly located them at the scene of the wreck.
The incident began in Discovery Bay when someone stole some mail from a U.S. Postal Service truck on August 6. A Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the reported mail theft shortly before 11 a.m.
The deputy located and pursued the suspects along Byron Highway to Main Street in Oakley. Soon the deputy suspended the car chase due to public safety concerns.
Shortly afterward, the suspects crashed at the intersection of Main Street and O’Hara Avenue. Oakley police arrived on the scene with the sheriff’s deputy to detain the suspects.
One suspect, the injured driver Kenneth Grosenbach, 38 of San Francisco, was detained at the scene of the crash and later received medical treatment. However, his companion attempted to flee taking a leashed dog along with her.
The second suspect, Linnell Bonner, 36 of San Francisco, apparently released the dog when an Oakley officer caught up with her. When the dog behaved aggressively and bit the officer, they fatally shot the dog.
Authorities booked both suspects at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond. Authorities disposed of the dog’s body.
Grosenbach faces five charges for vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, identity theft, and evading a police officer disregarding public safety. He faces a bail of $155,000.
His companion, Linnell faces charges of identity theft and possession of stolen property. Her bail is $55,000.
