Wanted suspect tries eluding police by running into ocean

A man wanted out of San Luis Obispo County was arrested Thursday afternoon in Santa Barbara after running into the ocean to get away from police.

Santa Barbara police say officers saw the man, later identified as 40-year-old Shane Hale, get out of a white Honda Accord near the Fess Parker Doubletree hotel, and make a run for the ocean. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Ventura County.

Refusing to get out of the ocean, Santa Barbara police asked the Harbor Patrol for assistance capturing the suspect. The alleged car thief was pulled out of the water and arrested. He was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for medical attention.

A dog that was with the suspect at the time of the incident was taken by Animal Control personnel.

Hale faces auto theft and resisting arrest charges stemming from Thursday’s incident, in addition to an arrest warrant out of San Luis Obispo County for petty theft.