El Cerrito Man Arrested, Linked to Fatal Pinole Robbery-Shootout

Police have arrested a 30-year-old El Cerrito man in connection with Wednesday's deadly , according to Pinole police.

William Fuller of El Cerrito was arrested Wednesday night after police stopped him while he was in a car near San Pablo and Central avenues in El Cerrito Avenue, police said.

Police allege that Fuller drove a getaway car for a robbery suspect, Freddie Daniel of San Pablo, whom police say was wounded in the exchange of gunfire that killed the other robbery suspect, Pierre Daniel, 25, of El Sobrante. Pierre Daniel was Freddie Daniel's older brother, according to police.

A Pinole police officer and a Loomis Armored truck employee also were wounded in the morning shootout outside the Wells Fargo Bank on Fitzgerald Drive.

Fuller has been booked on charges of two counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and robbery, according to Pinole police.

The wounded officer was identified by police today as Brian "Justin" Takacs, who is also a school resource officer. Takacs suffered a gunshot wound and remained in surgery this afternoon. His injuries are not life-threatening.

Pierre Daniel died in the street on Fitzgerald Drive after being shot by one of the officers. Before shooting him, the officer repeatedly warned Daniel not to reach for his weapon and he ignored the order, according to police.

Freddie Daniel escaped from the scene but later showed up at Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo with gunshot wounds, apparently sustained when an armored car guard shot him. Police arrested him Wednesday and charged him on suspicion of murder, two counts of attempted murder, conspiracy, and robbery. The 24-year-old remained in critical condition this afternoon.

Police also released new details about the shooting. One of the suspects assaulted a Loomis Armored truck employee as the employee came out of the Wells Fargo Bank on Fitzgerald Drive, carrying a bag of cash.

"She resisted the armed suspects and a gunfight ensued between the armed Loomis security guard and the two suspects, resulting in
the security guard and both suspects being hit by gunshots," according to the news release.

The driver of the armored truck remained in serious but stable condition today.

Meanwhile, Pinole police and other officers are still working the case.

"We all understand that Takacs is going to be okay, but everyone wants to wait and see when he gets out of surgery," Pinole Police Chief John Hardester said. "I think people are keeping their noses to the grindstone. There's still a lot of investigative work to do.

"There's been an outpouring of support from the community and that has helped. We're staying positive and staying focused."

Pinole and Richmond police, the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Attorney are investigating the crime. It has yet to be determined if Takacs was shot by one of the suspects or "otherwise," Hardester said.