Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested 34-year old Robert Castro of Fresno.
He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail and is facing felony charges of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and probation violation.
On January 29th at 4:15 pm, H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) was conducting a surveillance operation at the intersection of N. Crystal and W. Dakota Ave. in Fresno. H.E.A.T. is a team comprised of Sheriff’s detectives, Clovis Police officers and California Highway Patrol officers. Detectives observed Robert Castro get into a stolen car and attempt to drive away. H.E.A.T. team members moved in with their emergency lights on to conduct a traffic stop. Castro then rammed his car into a CHP pickup which was parked in front of him. Castro tried to flee the area by driving on the sidewalk and when he got back onto the street he t-boned a citizen’s vehicle which was driving at approximately 35 mph. Castro continued through the intersection and used his car to purposely crash into an unmarked FSO detective’s car which had its emergency lights illuminated. Castro got out and ran. He physically resisted arrest with the detective who caught him, but was ultimately taken into custody.
No law enforcement officers sustained any injuries. The two citizens who were struck in their vehicle were taken to the hospital for complaints of pain. All three vehicles received moderate damage.
Anyone with additional information on Robert Castro is asked to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).
