Media Release

For Immediate Release

American Canyon Police Interrupt Robbery in Progress at 7-11
and Arrest Three

AMERICAN CANYON, Calif., June 15, 2023, 2:00 PM - On June 15, 2023, just before 1:00 AM, American Canyon Police Officers were asked to be on the lookout for a red Chevy Impala that had just been used in an armed robbery at a 7-11 store in the City of Vacaville. Officers were given the suspects' descriptions and vehicle license plate information and told it was last seen heading towards American Canyon. ACPD officers began to look for the vehicle in the city, and an officer found it parked on the side of the building unoccupied at the 7-11 on Rio Del Mar and Highway 29. The officer could see the described suspects inside the store, and it appeared another robbery was in progress.
The officer placed a tire deflation device under the suspect's car to attempt to prevent it from driving off while waiting for more officers to arrive. Three suspects exited the 7-11 and encountered the officer outside watching them. The officer ordered all three suspects to stop and get on the ground when leaving. One of them later identified as 19-year-old Younger Sampson of Antioch, complied with the orders and was immediately arrested.

The other two suspects, later identified as 19-year-old Jaharri Wheatley and 20-year-old Deavion Ivory from Antioch, fled on foot, running away. An officer arriving on the scene to help saw Wheatley reaching into his waistband as if he was grabbing a firearm when running away. Wheatley was able to circle back to his car, kick away the tire deflation device, and drive off when officers were chasing after him and Ivory. Ivory was found hiding in a nearby creek near the 7-11 after a foot pursuit and arrested.

American Canyon Police Officers, with the assistance of Napa Sheriff's Deputies and a CHP air helicopter unit, engaged in a vehicle pursuit with Wheatley as he fled in the car southbound through the city. Wheatley crashed into a center median during the vehicle pursuit on Flosden Road, then again took off, running away on foot. American Canyon Police Canine Brick was deployed to apprehend Wheatley when he was running away from officers. Wheatley actively resisted and struggled with Canine Brick and officers on the ground when they were attempting to arrest him. A loaded, unregistered firearm (Ghost Gun) fell to the ground from Wheatley's hand during the struggle. Wheatley reached for the firearm from the ground. However, officers were able to get Wheatly into handcuffs and detained before he could grab possession of the firearm to use. Wheatley was arrested, medically treated, and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections by ACPD for five felony charges related to this incident. Ivory, Sampson, and recovered stolen items found in the car related to the Vacaville 7-11 robbery were turned over to the Vacaville Police Department.