PINOLE, CA — Pinole police arrested a Fairfield man Wednesday after he allegedly robbed a gas station, attempted to carjack someone's vehicle and shot two and wounded two bystanders.
Police received a call at approximately 12:20 p.m. from the Chevron station at 2695 Pinole Valley Road. The dispatcher heard a loud argument heard in the background, then the call disconnected.
While officers responded, several other callers reported that a robbery had just occurred at the site and two people were shot. The callers described the suspect and said the suspect fled north toward Jack in the Box.
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Officers found the suspect, 21-year-old Demetrius Chafford, on Pinole Valley Road under Interstate Highway 80 and arrested him.
Firefighters and medics treated two victims with gunshot wounds at the gas station and transported them to a hospital, where they were treated and later released.
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Through interviews and reviewing video surveillance, police determined Chafford entered the convenience store and tried to make a purchase, but the transaction was declined.
Chafford allegedly argued with the clerk and walked around the sales counter, where he tried to open the cash register but was unsuccessful. The suspect then ripped the register off the counter and the cables from the business telephone and left the store.
Police say Chafford then tried carjacking a vehicle in the Chevron lot, but the victim was able to get away. Chafford then allegedly walked to a car parked at one of the pumps, broke out the passenger door window, and stole a purse from the front seat. The owner of the purse chased after the suspect and attempted to recover her purse. The suspect and victim struggled over the bag, and Chafford allegedly hit her several times, knocking her to the ground.
Two bystanders tried to intervene and Chafford pulled out a firearm and fired multiple bullets at them. Both suffered gunshot wounds but were able to retreat.
Chafford allegedly fled on foot through the nearby Jack in the Box parking lot and threw the firearm into the bushes. He then allegedly attempted to carjack two additional vehicles as he ran and continued on foot north on Pinole Valley Road, where he was arrested.
The firearm was later recovered with the assistance of a Concord police canine. The stolen purse and property belonging to the suspect were recovered at the scene.
Police said Chafford was on pre-trial release for evading an officer and weapons violations out of Solano County. He was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, attempted robbery, three counts of attempted carjacking, and carrying a concealed firearm.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Dean at (510) 724-1111.
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