By Cathy Locke and Chelsea Phua
clocke@sacbee.com
A Weimar man identified as a suspect in two recent bank robberies was shot by a Placer County Sheriff's Department deputy Thursday afternoon following a short vehicle pursuit in Colfax.
Gregory Ray Deford, 46, was airlifted to an area hospital and his condition was not immediately known, said, Placer County Sheriff's officials report.
Sheriff's detectives had obtained an warrant for Deford's arrest in the robberies of the Wells Fargo Bank in North Auburn on Aug. 28 and the Bank of the West on Lincoln Way on Sept. 10. When they tried to contact Deford in Weimar about 3:30 p.m., he fled in a Ford Escort and a pursuit began.
When Deford refused to stop, a spike strip was deployed at Canyon Way and East Weimar Cross Road, flattening all four tires on his vehicle, said Lt. Jeff Ausnow. But Deford entered eastbound Interstate 80 and exited at Canyon Way in Colfax, where he crashed his vehicle on Whitcomb Avenue. Deford was shot as deputies attempted to take him into custody.
"The suspect's actions forced one of our officers to fire his weapon, striking the suspect," Ausnow said.
Sheriff's officials said the circumstances surrounding the shooting are being investigated.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
KCRA: Deputies shoot bank robbery suspect









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