An intense manhunt following a freeway shootout in Benicia led to the swift arrest of two suspects, sources said. According to a Benicia Police Department Facebook post, law enforcement was notified by their Automated License Plate Reader system of a vehicle connected to an armed robbery in the vicinity of Columbus Parkway/Rose Drive on March 15. When officers attempted to pull over the car, the occupants fled and opened fire, leading to a car crash and a foot pursuit on the 780 freeway.
One of the individuals was captured at the scene after the vehicle he was in crashed, while the other fled on foot, shooting at officers who were closing in on him. The suspect was eventually found hidden in freeway median bushes. The prolonged incident triggered an all-night closure on the 780, spanning between Columbus Parkway/Rose Drive and Southampton Road, not reopening until past 5 AM the next day with a search that included multiple law enforcement agencies and a CHP chopper, wrapping up after the suspect’s claim of a third accomplice hiding was debunked through body camera evidence.
The two men apprehended, identified as David Ochoa Magana, 39, and Javon BryceFloyd Dickerson, 33, are now facing a string of charges, including attempted homicide of a police officer and various weapons offenses. Detailed records of their arrest were disclosed on a crime graphics website. Magana faces charges including attempted second-degree murder on a peace officer and felon in possession of a firearm. Dickerson is charged with carrying a concealed dirk or dagger and probation violation.
Despite the dramatic exchange of gunfire, no officers or suspects were injured in the tense standoff that saw a broad coalition of local police departments responding to the chaos, ranging from Fairfield and Vacaville to Napa and Richmond, as well as several SWAT teams joining the manhunt. The Solano County Major Crimes Taskforce has since taken over the case, and further inquiries are being directed to Lieutenant Chuck Renfro of the Solano County District Attorney's office.
