Armed Robbery Suspect Sparks Wild Chase in Merced
Merced, California – A robbery incident turned into a high-speed pursuit on Saturday morning, as a suspected armed robber led police officers on a dramatic chase through the streets of Merced. The Merced Police Department reported that the events unfolded at around 8:30 a.m. when they received a report of a robbery in the 900 block of G Street.
According to authorities, a man identified as 38-year-old Leonardo Alamar approached a woman who was selling honey and demanded her purse while threatening to shoot her. After a struggle, Alamar managed to escape in his vehicle, taking the victim’s purse with him.
Several hours later, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the police spotted Alamar driving the same car heading west on N.W. Bear Creek Drive from Mckee Road. Attempting to apprehend him, officers signaled for Alamar to stop, but instead, he accelerated and a chase ensued.
During the pursuit, Alamar discarded a black bag out of the car window, which was later recovered by the officers. Inside the bag, they found a .22 caliber rifle. As the chase continued through east Merced, the police tried to employ a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to immobilize Alamar’s vehicle. However, he retaliated by deliberately ramming his car into the police vehicle.
The pursuit concluded when Alamar’s vehicle finally came to a halt near the intersection of East 21st Street and Keely Road. The officers swiftly apprehended him without further incident. Inside the suspect’s car, they discovered additional ammunition and magazines that belonged to the discarded rifle.
The Merced Police Department has reported that Leonardo Alamar has been placed under arrest on multiple charges. He is suspected of robbery, evading the police, possession of a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person, as well as assault with a deadly weapon.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers as they confront armed suspects. The swift actions and coordination of the Merced Police Department ultimately resulted in the successful arrest of the suspect, preventing further harm to the community. Authorities will continue their investigation into the case while ensuring the safety and security of the residents of Merced.
