Gold Run, CA….On June 26th at 2 p.m., Placer County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an interrupted burglary that escalated into a robbery at The Pioneer Union Church in Gold Run. The victim confronted a male suspect attempting to steal sound equipment and tools from the church. The victim used his cell phone to take a photo of the suspect. After the victim took the photo, the suspect demanded the victim’s phone. The suspect pulled out a loaded pistol and shot the victim, injuring the victim’s jaw. The suspect then struck the victim on the head with the pistol, knocking him to the ground. The suspect demanded the victim drive him to an ATM to get cash, which the victim refused to do. The suspect instructed the victim to give him whatever money he had on him. The suspect then took off towards Interstate 80 on a push scooter. A witness called 911 and a manhunt for the suspect ensued; involving Placer County sheriff’s deputies, detectives, K-9 handlers. The CHP – Gold Run and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Air Support assisted in the search.
At around 6:40 p.m., an alert citizen reported seeing a suspicious male walking on Interstate 80 near the Dutch Flat Exit. A detective contacted the suspect who fled in a heavily wooded area where he was quickly apprehended by members of the Special Enforcement Team. The suspect was identified as 25-year old John Waninger of Hesperia. Waninger had a million dollar warrant for homicide out of San Bernardino County which occurred three days prior. Deputies searched Waninger and found a 9mm bullet in his pocket. They also found the spent 9mm shell casing Waninger had taken from the crime scene.
Waninger was arrested for attempted murder, robbery and burglary.
A big thank you to all of the agencies involved in helping to capture Waninger. Also, thank you to our Search and Rescue team and the Elk Grove Police Department’s K-9 Unit, who assisted in the search and recovery of additional evidence.
Pioneer Union Church Robbed & Witness Shot. Murder, Attempted Murder, Robbery & Burglary Charges for Hesperia Man added by admin on
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