Authorities release name of suspect who died following Saturday’s police pursuit

DANVILLE – The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office has released more information about what led up to the shooting death of a 33-year-old Newark man Saturday morning.

On Sunday, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jimmy Lee said officers were responding to a report of a suspicious person near Cottage Lane and Laurel Drive in Danville. A citizen reported seeing a person exit his vehicle, walk toward several homes with bags in his hands, go back to his car and circle the neighborhood.

Lee said the suspect ignored commands to stop when officers arrived in the area and led officers on a pursuit. Twice during the pursuit, the suspect pulled over as if to give up. However, when officers exited their cars, the suspect fled in his vehicle and continued to lead the officers in a pursuit. 

The shooting took place at the intersection of Front Street and Diablo Road when the suspect steered his vehicle toward an officer and accelerated his vehicle, Lee said.

Lee added that the officer feared that he was going to be run over by the suspect’s vehicle and fired his weapon at the driver of the vehicle. The suspect was shot and transported to the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased. 

Authorities have identified the suspect as 33-year-old Laudemer Arboleda of Newark. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

The police officer who fired his weapon is a 5 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office assigned to Danville Station.

Original article covering Saturday’s incident is here.

During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Danville Police Cheif Allan Shields expressed sadness regarding the suspect’s death (video below).