UPDATE (August 08, 2017): The Critical Incident Review Board determined that all shots fired by Officer Spencer Carlson on April 4, 2017 were within department policy, as well as within state and federal guidelines.
Officer Carlson has been returned to working full duty.
On April 4, 2017 two suspects entered the All India Sweets and Grocery and pointed guns at employees while demanding money. Two hours later the suspects proceeded to do the same thing at a recycling center business and fled the scene in a maroon colored Jeep SUV.
Later that night officers attempted a traffic enforcement stop after locating the vehicle, however the driver failed to stop and led the police on a short pursuit.
The vehicle then crashed into a tree and the driver exited the car and began running from officers. An officer shot the suspect and the suspect was pronounced dead on scene.
A passenger in the car, Andrew Crotwell, fled on foot but was located nearby while the second passenger, Anita Carvajal, was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators were later able to determine that Crotwell, and the suspect killed were responsible for both robberies, and Carvajal assisted.
Investigators also found an airsoft pistol inside of the vehicle identical to the firearm depicted in the video surveillance from one of the robberies.
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UPDATE (April 7, 2017 5 p.m.): Crotwell and Carvajal appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty.
Crotwell was charged with multiple counts of second degree robbery, possession of a firearm, and resisting an officer.
Carvajal was arrested for possession of a firearm.
They were originally arrested on murder charges. They will be back in court April 19.
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UPDATE (April 7, 2017 2:40 p.m.) : The Coroner's office has identified the man shot and killed as Rogelio Vidal Landa of Buttonwillow. The Coroner has determined the cause of death to be a gun shot wound to the head, manner of death is homicide.
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UPDATE (April 5, 2017 5:00 p.m.): The passenger from the suspect vehicle who initially fled on foot and was taken into custody has been identified as Andrew Crotwell, 30, and the third occupant has been identified as Anita Carvajal, 44.
Investigators were able to confirm that the decedent and Crotwell were responsible for both robberies and that Carvajal assisted in the robbery that occurred on Stockdale Highway earlier that day.
Information was also developed that led investigators to believe that a small frame revolver was discarded from the suspect vehicle during the pursuit; however, after an extensive search, officers were unable to locate the revolver.
Officers did locate an airsoft pistol inside the maroon Jeep Cherokee, which was identical to the firearm depicted in the video surveillance from the robbery on South Real Road. There was no firearm located on the person of the decedent or in the surrounding area.
Crotwell was subsequently arrested for murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of robbery, conspiracy, resisting arrest, as well as an outstanding warrant through the Kern County Sheriff’s Department for assault with a deadly weapon.
Crotwell was also arrested for possession of stolen property relating to the theft of the Ridgeview High School marching band trailer, which occurred in March of 2017.
Carvajal was arrested for murder, robbery, accessory and destruction of evidence.
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UPDATE (April 5, 2017 2:49 a.m.): According to Bakersfield Police, the suspect who was shot by officers was allegedly connected to two armed robberies Tuesday afternoon.
BPD says two suspects robbed the All India Sweets and Grocery just before 2 Tuesday afternoon. The suspects pulled guns on employees and demanded money. The suspects then took off in a maroon SUV. About two hours later, the same suspects robbed a recycling center on Stockdale and Coffee Road, pulling guns on employees and demanding money.
Just after 9 p.m., officers found the suspect vehicle, in the area of Taft Highway and South Union Avenue. Three people were in the vehicle. Police tried to stop the SUV, but the driver kept going, leading cops on a short pursuit before the SUV hit a tree.
A passenger in the SUV left the vehicle and took off running. An officer then fired at least one shot, hitting the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the SUV also took off running, but was caught. A third person in the SUV stayed in the vehicle and was also taken into custody.
The suspect who was shot and killed has not yet been identified.
BPD has not identified the officer who shot the suspect. They have been placed on administrative leave.
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Update (11 p.m.)
According to BPD, a suspect is now dead after an officer-involved-shooting in South Bakersfield.
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Bakersfield police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in South Bakersfield.
The shooting happened around 9:00 p.m. in the area of Taft Highway and S. Union Ave.
According to Bakersfield Police, the incident started as a pursuit with an armed robbery suspect.
The suspect crashed their car and ran from officers.
The suspect was believed to have a gun.
That's when shots were fired.
No word yet on if there are any officers injured or if that suspect is in custody.
We have crew on their way to the scene.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
