Demolition and repairs on this home on Ashlan and Polk will take weeks. Vanessa Knight's bedroom took the brunt of it when a stolen car hit the house on Monday night.
"Everything's pretty much damaged, all my belongings, my school stuff," said Vanessa Knight, a Fresno State student.
Fresno police say the suspects, Goldie Walker, Christopher Glaude and Savana Meeker stole the car from an unsuspecting victim, a 27-year-old trying to sell it on Craigslist. The victim met the suspects at Blackstone and Shields around 9pm. After a test drive, the suspects told the victim to get out of the car in a rural area near Dakota and Weber.
"[The suspects] produced a handgun and demanded the victim's wallet, keys and any money," said Deputy Chief Keith Foster of the Fresno Police Department.
The victim ran and got help while police followed the suspects. Glaude drove the victim's car while Walker followed in a stolen pickup truck. Police say the crash spoiled the suspects' plan to get out of town for a prostitution job. The male suspects are gang members on parole.
"We've known for a long time that gang members are involved in numerous incidents of criminal misconduct, from white collared crimes, fraud and forgery, to pimping and pandering, to drug sales and vehicle theft as well," said Foster.
This time, the suspects are caught and arrested, but not before victimizing several people. Knight is just glad no one was hurt inside her home.
"Strange things happen all the time and the sad part is sometimes it effects innocent people," said Knight.
Police are looking for a fourth suspect, a woman who was riding in the pickup.
There are warnings posted on Craigslist for users buying and selling items on the web site. Tips include:
Meet in a public place
Tell a friend or family member where you're going
Take your cell phone
Consider having a friend go with you
Trust your instincts
