Armed suspect arrested after leading Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies on pursuit

Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies arrested an armed man after a short pursuit in Isla Vista Tuesday night, according to the sheriff’s department.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 900 block of Embarcadero Del Mar to reports of a man with a gun inside a restaurant bar. The suspect allegedly threatened to shoot people inside.

The suspect then left the restaurant and went into the Anisq’ Oyo Park. Authorities were able to apprehend the suspect inside the park.

The sheriff’s department has identified the suspect as 24-year-old Anthony Rios of Isla Vista after chasing him.

Police officers from UCSB responded as well as sheriff’s deputies from the Isla Vista Foot Patrol.

Deputies searched the area and found a black backpack inside a trash can. The backpack had a magazine and two rounds of ammunition inside it. A handgun was found near the dumpster.

Rios was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail. He was charged with criminal threats, taking out a firearm in an unfriendly manner, having a pistol with an altered or destroyed serial number, and carrying a loaded firearm in public.

Rios was released Wednesday on $50,000 bail. Rios does not have any firearms registered to him.

Deputies say they do not know how Rios got the firearm he is accused of taking out inside the Isla Vista restaurant.