Helicopter Used to Apprehend Elk Grove Wal Mart Shoplifting, Assault Suspects

September 18, 2013 |

A garden variety shoplifting at the Elk Grove Blvd. Wal Mart led to a vehicle and helicopter pursuit in Elk Grove late yesterday afternoon.

According to Elk Grove Police, 22-year old Matthew Jake Martin of Fort Mohave Ariz. and a 15-year old Sacramento male were observed shoplifting at the Elk Grove Blvd. Wal Mart. Both suspects were contacted by store employees who attempted to detain them.

As the two were being taken back into the store, when they realized Elk Grove Police were being called, they ran away. When the employee attempted to grab Martin, the suspect hit him several times in the head and ran to a nearby car and fled.

Responding officers observed the car and attempted to conduct an enforcement stop but Martin, who was driving the car, did not yield and led officers on a 1.5 mile pursuit. The pursuit terminated in the 9500 block of Amon Court when the suspects stopped the vehicle and fled on foot into a residential neighborhood.

Both suspects were located with the assistance of Sacramento Police Department's helicopter and an EGPD K-9. Both suspects were positively identified by the loss prevention officer.

Martin was arrested and taken to the county jail where he remains in custody on $50,000 bail and the juvenile was taken to juvenile hall. The stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the store.