Burglary suspects lead authorities on high speed chase

The California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s, and Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in a high speed pursuit through parts of Santa Barbara County Tuesday morning.

The pursuit started in Ventura County near Flynn Road along northbound U.S. Highway 101 at about 10:56 a.m. where the driver was traveling at unsafe speeds and driving recklessly, according to CHP.

Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies first tried to stop the suspect vehicle before the chase entered Santa Barbara County but were unsuccessful as speeds reached 100+ mph. A Ventura County Sheriff’s helicopter monitored the pursuit from the sky.

Authorities say the suspect vehicle, a white Honda Civic with paper plates, was involved in a burglary out of Ventura County.

The pursuit ended shortly before 12 p.m. on U.S Highway 101 near the Gaviota Tunnel in Santa Barbara County. Three suspects, one man and two women, were immediately taken into custody. A third female suspect was injured down in a ravine as she attempted to flee the scene on foot.

Authorities said they wanted to treat the injured suspect before arresting her. That suspect suffered minor injuries to one of her legs after falling down the ravine, according to CHP.

All highway lanes were blocked for public safety.

Debris from the suspect vehicle was scattered throughout the freeway as a result of contact with a spike strip. One spike strip was set up at Winchester Canyon and another at the El Capitan State Beach area. Two of the suspect vehicle’s tires were punctured.

CHP says officers found stolen merchandise with store tags on them, in the trunk and the back seat of the the suspects’ car.

All four suspects will be handed over to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.