Pursuit ends in Santa Barbara with arrest of Solvang Ride Aid burglary suspect
A police chase ended in the city of Santa Barbara Wednesday with the arrest of 28-year-old Trenell Roshean Steel of Carson, California whom police say took part in a robbery at a Rite Aid pharmacy in Solvang.
The pursuit started when Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the suspect vehicle near Buellton soon after deputies were alerted to suspicious activity at the Rite Aid located in the 600 block of Alamo Pintado in Solvang at about 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 31st.
The dark-colored Lexus sedan was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 101 before making a u-turn and heading southbound, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies tried to pull over the vehicle but the driver of the Lexus did not stop.
Deputies and California Highway Patrol officers pursued the suspect down the Nojoqui Grade but discontinued the pursuit due to public safety when speeds increased. However, a Santa Barbara County Sheriff/Fire Air Support helicopter continued to track the suspect vehicle.
CHP officers in Goleta located the vehicle heading southbound on U.S. 101 and chased the suspect until exiting in Santa Barbara. At about 4:30 a.m., the Santa Barbara police found the Lexus in the 1000 block of Santa Barbara Street and Steel was found in the area near where the car was found, authorities said.
The Sheriff’s Office says Steel was found with the keys to the Lexus in his pocket. Steel is being held at Santa Barbara County Jail on $75,000 bail.
Authorities discovered a large amount of stolen prescription medication from Rite Aid during a search of the suspect vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case to determine who else was involved in the crime.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150 or leave an anonymous tip at 805-681-4171.
