Police Pursue Stolen Vehicle into Santa Maria Neighborhood, Suspects Hide in Homes

Santa Maria Police arrested three men after they stole a vehicle and led police on a pursuit which started before 3 p.m. on Sunday.

39 year-old Gabriel Zepeda, 33 year-old Mike Sauceda and 19 year-old Arturo Murillo have been booked for a number of charges.

The first part of the chase started off Highway 101 and Broadway, where police spotted a stolen vehicle and tried to stop it but were instead led on a pursuit they say ended very briefly.

The men eventually abandoned their car near the corner of Harding Avenue and Christina Street in Santa Maria, left the vehicle and ran in different directions

Police found Zepeda hiding in the closet of a home on Harding Avenue, Sauceda was found in a backyard shed behind a home on Orchard Street and police arrested Murillo after he ran from them, jumping several fences in the process.

Police booked Zepeda for driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent and residential burglary.

Sauceda was also booked for driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent and for violating his probation.

Police arrested Murillo for possession of stolen property and for having an outstanding warrant.