Stockton police have released the identity of the surviving suspect in a bank robbery that ended in a gun battle. In all, three people -- two suspects and a hostage -- are dead after the high-speed chase that left cars and houses riddled with bullets in Stockton.
Rich Ibarra Reports On The Latest In Shootout Investigation
The violence began when three people robbed a Bank of the West branch and took three women hostage. Police say the robbers stole a bank employee's SUV and led dozens of police cars on a high-speed chase that lasted about 45 minutes.
"Through city of Stockton streets, went on both major freeways -- Interstate 5 and Highway 99 -- went all the way up to the city of Lodi and came all the way back to Stockton," says Officer Joe Silva. "And during that whole time the suspects were firing multiple rounds from an AK47 assault rifle at our officers striking multiple police cars."
During the chase, two of the hostages were thrown from the vehicle -- one suffered a gunshot wound and the other had a grazing bullet wound. Police eventually shot out the tires of the stolen SUV. As the vehicle came to a stop, officers exchanged gunfire with someone inside the vehicle.
Two of the suspects, as well as the last hostage, were fatally wounded in the gun battle.
"They were trying to kill our police officers because 14 patrol cars being riddled with bullets shows a definite attempt to kill the police officers," says Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones. "They were under constant gunfire and I know that at least one of them was firing an assault rifle."
Authorities say all three of the suspects are from Stockton and are known gang members.
The surviving bank robbery suspect is 19-year-old Jaime Ramos of Stockton. He is being held in the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of homicide, kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder chargers.
Jaime Ramos, 19, of Stockton
Police said the deceased suspects are known gang members and also residents of Stockton. They are described to be a 30- and 27-year-old males.
Investigators are still in the area of Otto Drive and Thorton Road. At least three handguns and an assault rifle have been found at the scene.
-Capital Public Radio Staff
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