Madison Beer: Fresno police sergeant arrested after Crashing his patrol car while High on Meth he Stole from a suspect

Fresno police sergeant arrested after crashing his patrol car while high on meth he stole from a suspect

A sergeant who has worked for the Fresno Police Department for nearly 20 years has been arrested on suspicion of DUI, drug possession and robbery.

Police Chief Paco Balderrama and Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp on Wednesday morning outlined the case against Sgt. Donald Dinell, who has worked for the department since 2003.

Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama announces the arrest of veteran police sergeant Donald Dinell, on suspicion of DUI, drug possession and robbery, at a press conference, March 2, 2022, with Fresno County DA Lisa Smittcamp, at police headquarters.

He was arrested after he was involved in a crash in his police cruiser, and a drug test found him positive for fentanyl, according to Balderrama.

Dinell acquired methamphetamine laced with fentanyl by taking it from a woman in a suspected robbery earlier on the day of his crash on Dec. 30, Balderrama said.

He faces charges for DUI, drug possession and robbery. His bail after arrest will be $31,000, according to Smittcamp.

Balderrama said Dinell remains on paid administrative leave since Jan. 11. Dinnell turned himself in Tuesday afternoon on the outstanding arrest warrant. He then placed his bond, allowing him to be released.

“As of today, he is employed. There is a protocol and process for termination, which we intend to follow,” Balderrama said.

An administrative investigation related to Dinell’s employment is ongoing and Balderrama said he would not discuss it.

Crash and police response

A witness reported a patrol car about 4:30 p.m. Dec. 30 driving erratically on Riverside Drive, south of the Marketplace at El Paseo near Herndon Avenue and Highway 99, police said. Dinell’s cruiser knocked over a tree a struck a curb in an empty parking lot, police said.