March 29 - April 2: Neighbors Help Foil Attempted Home Robbery

A Fair Oaks resident received more than a little help from her friendly neighbors when a home invasion turned south for the would-be robber, according to a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy report.

The suspect, Lionel Hammock, 37, forced entry into the victim's Jonnie Way residence by kicking the side garage door on Friday, March 30, around 5 p.m. Hammock loaded one of the victim's pillowcases with property and left the residence.

As Hammock attempted to flee, hopping the fence from victim's residence into a neighbor's backyard, the neighbors went out into the backyard and confronted Hammock. The thief then made a run for it. Then neighbors gave chase and caught Hammock as he hopped another fence into a third backyard. One of the neighbors then hit Hammock over the head with a metal pipe in an attempt to place the thief under arrest. Another neighbor entered the third backyard and was assisted by three additional neighbors in detaining Hammock until Sheriff's deputies arrived.

"Unfortunately for him (Hammock), there happened to be a few 'very aggressive' males who obtained info very quickly that he had committed this crime," Sacramento County Sheriff's spokesman Jason Ramos said.

"Call them vigilantes if you will, call them heroic citizens, call them 'crimestoppers,'" Ramos said. "They are not part of an organized neighborhood watch. They just happened to be nearby when this took place and decided that Hammock needed to be “dealt with” which they did, to say the least."

The victim positively identified the pillowcase and property recovered near Hammock as her property, and confirmed the suspect was not known and did not have permission to enter the property. Hammock was taken by ambulance to Mercy San Juan hospital with a head wound. He was subsequently medically cleared and booked in to the main jail.

Authorities deny shoplifter's five-finger discount

It's uncertain whether or not Sherry Dillon entered an Orangevale Save Mart Supermarket on Saturday, March 10 with the intent to lift merchandise without paying for it. However, that's what she attempted to do, according to a Sheriff's Department report. Dillon, 47, entered the business and selected several pieces of merchandise, placing them on the bottom of her shopping cart and concealing them with her jacket. Upon exiting the store without paying for the merchandise, Dillon was contacted outside the store and the merchandise was recovered. She was then cited and released without incident.

Unknown thieves pedal away on stolen bicycle

On March 20 around 6 p.m. unknown suspect(s) cut a metal security gate to gain access to the storage area basement under a 4200 block Sunrise Boulevard business. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole a street bicycle prior to fleeing the area in an unknown direction.

Minor takes trip to Juvenile Hall following assault on family members

A 16-year-old son took a trip to Sacramento County Juvenile Hall, facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon against his own father and older brother. The incident occurred Wednesday, March 28, around 10:15 p.m. when the minor, while under the influence of alcohol returned to his home on the 8200 block of Kaula Drive and attempted to take his father's vehicle. The older brother, recognizing his brother's state, took the keys away from the minor. The minor then punched his older brother in the face. According to the police report, the older brother had no visible injury and had no complaint of pain. The minor then went inside the residence and began to argue with the father. The argument escalated into physical violence when the minor punched his father in the face and then struck him over the head with a bottle. Despite redness around his neck and face, the minor had no other visible injury and had no complaint of pain. He was transported and booked into Juvenile Hall on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Thieves make unauthorized withdrawal from Raley's gas station

On Thursday, March 29, around 3 a.m. unknown suspect(s) used a rock to gain entry to the locked Raley's corner gas station at 5345 Hazel Avenue by smashing a window. The suspect(s) entered locked business and removed a cash drawer from business. No one was seen or heard. No one is in custody.

Man makes disturbing promise to children's mother

After being denied the chance to visit his children, a father made an ill-advised promise to his estranged children's mother. The father went to the residence of the mother and children and was asked to leave, according to the police report. As he walked away, the mother overheard the man say he would make a phone call and by morning the woman would be dead. The man left the scene without furhter incident.

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