Hit-and-run: Police credit ‘helpful citizens’ for leading to driver’s arrest

Citrus Heights police are expressing gratitude for the help of numerous community members they said aided officers in locating several women who fled an injury accident on foot near Sunrise Mall last week.

Sgt. Chad Morris said the incident occurred shortly after noon on Aug. 21, when a sedan crashed into another vehicle while allegedly driving recklessly and at a “high rate of speed.” Police said the collision caused a young girl to be sent to the hospital with lacerations on her face, while the three female occupants of the suspect vehicle fled the scene in different directions.

The sergeant said with the help of bystanders, two of the women were located inside the Macy’s store at Sunrise Mall, while a helicopter was called in to help search for the driver. Morris said the helicopter lost sight of the fleeing suspect after she ran into the Half Price Books store across from Macy’s, but “numerous citizens” aided police in pointing out the direction the suspect ran.

Police said the driver of the suspect vehicle, later identified as 25-year-old Alicia Anderson of Sacramento, was caught after she ran out of the bookstore’s emergency exit and down an embankment.

Anderson is currently being held without bail in the Sacramento County Main Jail and is charged with a felony hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. Court records indicate she has pled “no contest” to several other charges in the past five years, including prostitution, felony drug charges, and possessing a firearm while a felon. One of the other women who fled was also arrested, while the third was released after cooperating with police.

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Morris said the suspect vehicle sustained moderate damage, while the other vehicle “appeared to be totaled.” The young girl who was injured was traveling with her parents when the collision occurred and required a few stitches, police said.

“Throughout the whole thing the citizens were great,” Sgt. Morris said, highlighting that some had rendered aid at the accident scene while others followed the fleeing suspects. “The whole way, citizens were pointing to direct, giving thumbs up… trying to be helpful, which was great.”

Not feeling he had adequately thanked citizens on scene after arresting the driver, Morris reiterated his appreciation for community members who assist police.

“I can’t say that enough. Some of the best info we have comes from the community,” the sergeant said. “We are very, very, very thankful.”