Update: Suspect who escaped Santa Barbara Police now in custody

Santa Barbara Police have caught and cuffed a suspect who ran from them, jumped fences and went through freeway traffic in an effort to escape.

David DeMatteo was found under a car not far from the area where he took off in the industrial zone by Cacique and Nopolitos on the lower Santa Barbara Eastside.

He was wanted for a probation violation but ran when he saw officers. Several came into the area, and stayed on the pursuit, even though De Matteo was a difficult catch.

The young man is facing charges of resisting arrest, felony resisting with force or violence, battery on a peace officer, and prowling – in addition to the violation linked to his probation.

(PRIOR version)

A young man jumped fences and out ran Santa Barbara Police officers this morning on the lower Eastside.

He has not been identified but was wanted for a probation violation.

The police had an area surrounded by Nopolitos, Kimball and Highway 101.

The suspect ran through the Moto Loco repair yard and just past employees along with owner Gene Gatz. “They told him to stop and freeze. They tried to trip him. They tried to grab him. WhenI came out I tried to grab him, then he knocked an officer down. One of my guys looked him right in the eyes and said it looked like he was on something, and not all there. He was like a bolt of lightning through the parking lot.”

Police saw the suspect get up to the freeway and a witness said the man was running in the traffic lanes.

A search of the area and the Milpas roundabout did not turn up any sign of the elusive suspect.

Officers have his identification and will continue to look for the suspect.