Arizona Man Arrested After Allegedly Robbing 10 Stores and Shooting at Police
Photo: Stock Image
Written By: Reagan Ta
An Arizona man was arrested after he allegedly robbed a total of ten stores, shot at responding police officers, and accidentally shot himself.
Samuel Smith, 26, was already at large for robbing nine stores—eight PetSmart stores and one Big Lots—when Rancho Cucamonga police were contacted about an armed robbery at a PetSmart located at 10940 Foothill Boulevard. The final incident took place around 8:45 PM on Monday, August 20th.
Smith allegedly pointed a gun at the cashier while demanding money, according to the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Department.
Officers encountered Smith outside in the parking lot. “As officers approached, Smith shot multiple times at them, and a lethal force encounter (LFE) occurred,” according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Neither Smith nor any officers were struck by gunfire. Smith then proceeded to get in his vehicle and flee the scene, leading officers on a pursuit that finally ended in Pomona.
“The pursuit ended when law enforcement rammed their vehicle into Smith’s car. When law enforcement approached Smith’s car, they determined he had suffered a gunshot wound underneath his chin,” according to a news release by the U.S. Department of Justice. “Smith told officers who were performing life saving measures, that when they rammed into his vehicle, he accidentally shot himself.”
Smith was transported to the hospital in stable condition. He faces charges of armed robbery, attempted murder of a peace officer, and lethal force encounter.
