Suspect in Auburn bank robbery dies

Auburn, CA – Gregory Ray Deford was pronounced dead Thursday night at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital following a pursuit and a shooting with Placer County Sheriff’s deputies in Colfax. An extensive investigation is being conducted and no further information is available at this time.

Following a short pursuit of a wanted Auburn bank robbery suspect Thursday afternoon, Placer County Sheriff’s deputies shot and injured a man in Colfax.

Earlier today, the Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect in two recent bank robberies as Gregory Ray Deford, 46, of Weimar. Just before the pursuit, warrants had been signed for Deford’s arrest for robbing the Wells Fargo Bank in north Auburn on Aug. 28 and the Bank of the West on Lincoln Way on Sept. 10.

When Sheriff’s detectives went to contact Deford in Weimar, he fled in his vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Deford refused to stop and a spike strip was deployed. All four tires were flattened but Deford got on eastbound Interstate 80. He exited at Canyon Way in Colfax where shortly after, he crashed his vehicle. As detectives and deputies attempted to take him into custody, DefordÕs actions caused an officer to fire his weapon, hitting the suspect. He was airlifted to a local hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and circumstances surrounding the shooting are being investigated. No further information is available at this time.