Sheriff’s Deputies Capture Goleta Chase Suspect
LATEST UPDATE
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office identified 29-year-old Luis Gantes Rubio as the suspect deputies were searching for Sunday night just before 11 p.m. in the Goleta area.
Authorities say a Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a vehicle that ran a red light, but the driver quickly fled from the deputy.
“During the pursuit, the suspect ran several red lights, stop signs, and drove through the center median attempting to pass other vehicles on the roadway,” said Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Kelly Hoover. “As the suspect was passing Dos Pueblos High School on Alameda Ave. the suspect leapt from the moving vehicle causing the vehicle to collide with a large tree at the corner of Alameda Ave. and Padova Dr.”
Hoover says that at that point, Rubio, who was identified as the suspect, fled on foot through the neighborhood, but despite an extensive search with a Sheriff’s K-9 unit, deputies were unable to locate the suspect.
It appeared that the suspect had gotten away had it not been for an interesting call the Sheriff’s Office received soon after the search had yielded no results.
“Approximately an hour after the incident, the suspect called the Sheriff’s department attempting to report his vehicle as stolen,” said Hoover. “The suspect was contacted in the area of Junipero St. and Fletcher Ave. and taken into custody without incident.”
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ORIGINAL STORY
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies converged near Dos Pueblos High School late Sunday night in search for a suspect that appears was engaged in a vehicle pursuit with police.
The suspect apparently abandoned his car near the area of Del Norte Drive and Alameda Avenue in Goleta where deputies have set up a perimeter.
K-9 units were called to assist with the search.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male adult wearing a white jersey and dark colored pants or shorts with a possible leg injury.
Residents should report any suspicious activity to police immediately. The suspect has not been caught but it’s believed he is still in the area.
No other information was immediately available. Check back for updates.
