Arrest made in Elk Grove Carjacking

Early Monday evening the Elk Grove Police Department responded to a call at the AM/PM located at 10421 Grant Line Road regarding a disturbance involving an individual with a pit bull and a customer pumping gas.

As officers were responding to the location, additional information indicated that the individual with the pit bull (later identified as 46-year-old Ronald Tomlinson) was using the animal as a weapon and attempting to steal a motor vehicle from a customer who was filling up. Tomlinson approached a customer’s vehicle, returned the gas nozzle to the pump, screwed on the gas cap then closed the fuel door.

As Tomlinson began to open the driver side door of the customer’s vehicle, he was confronted by the owner of the vehicle. Tomlinson then ordered his dog to attack the customer which resulted in the owner of the vehicle being bitten on the leg. The owner suffered bruising and scratches to his leg.

Tomlinson then walked over to another nearby vehicle, opened the door and placed his dog in the back seat. Tomlinson sat down in the driver’s seat and closed the door.

When the owner of the vehicle confronted the suspect, Tomlinson pointed at his dog and began to open the car door to release his dog. The owner of the vehicle was fearful that he was going to be attacked so he backed away.

Tomlinson was unable to start the vehicle and realized that officers were now at the AM/PM. Tomlinson exited the vehicle and fled on foot southbound on Grant Line Road with his dog.

Responding officers established a perimeter in an effort to locate Tomlinson. An EGPD officer and his K-9 partner began a systematic search for Tomlinson.

During the search, the K-9 “alerted” and began leading officers on a lengthy track. Officers were able to locate Tomlinson hiding inside some bushes near a fence line.

Upon discovering Tomlinson, officers began giving him directions to exit the bushes and surrender. Tomlinson did not comply with the officers directions and released his pit bull towards the police K-9.

The pit bull charged the police K-9, which was still on leash, and began attacking. As the dogs were fighting, the K-9 officer began to assist his K-9 partner while another officer was watching Tomlinson.

The pit bull disengaged from his attacked and hid behind Tomlinson who was still hiding in the bushes.

Tomlinson would not comply with the officers directions and refused to surrender. The K-9 was deployed in an attempt to take Tomlinson into custody.

The K-9 made contact with Tomlinson’s arm as officers were giving him directions to surrender. The pit bull then re-engaged the police K-9 as officers approached.

The K-9 officer was able to reach down and grab the pit bull by the scruff of the neck removing the dog from the situation. The pit bull was secured by additional officers and Tomlinson was taken into custody.

The police K-9 did not suffer any injuries as a result of the encounter with the pit bull. The pit bull was turned over to animal services where a 10-day hold will be placed on the animal.

Tomlinson was arrested for Carjacking (215 Penal Code) and Parole Violation (3056 Penal Code). A records check also revealed that Tomlinson was a parolee at large who had an active warrant out for his arrest.

The suspect was transported to a local area hospital for treatment of his injuries from the K-9 deployment. After receiving medical clearance, Tomlinson was transported to the Sacramento County main jail.