Downey Officer Kills Robbery Suspect

A Downey police officer shot and killed an armed robbery suspect after a police chase ended when the man crashed a stolen car into two other vehicles at a Norwalk intersection, authorities said Saturday.

The suspect, Richard Dixon, 20, was shot three times in the upper body and died at Downey Community Hospital late Friday night.

The incident began when Dixon, armed with a loaded 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, allegedly stole a red Toyota Celica from a woman in the parking lot of a mini-mall in the 8100 block of Imperial Highway about 9:30 p.m. Friday, Downey Police Sgt. Mark Dryer said.

The suspect failed to yield to orders by a motorcycle officer to pull over during a half-mile chase, Dryer said.

As Dixon approached a red light at Firestone Boulevard near the 605 Freeway, he attempted to go around stopped traffic, but sideswiped one car and rear-ended another. The impact immobilized the Toyota, Dryer said.

“The officer repeatedly ordered the suspect to exit the car with his hands up,” the sergeant said. “The suspect refused to comply and began kicking open the car door on the driver’s side. As the door opened, the officer observed the suspect pointing a sawed-off shotgun at him and fired three shots.”

The officer’s name was not released by Downey police.