Man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after standoff in Buellton

BUELLTON, Calif. - A kidnapping and lengthy chase on Highway 101 led to a police standoff in Buellton for several hours Tuesday morning.

California Highway Patrol received a call from a woman in Oceano who said her husband was kidnapping her and her mother in a motorhome. Officers caught up with the RV in Orcutt and chased it all the way to Buellton where the situation turned into a standoff.

Officers tried to stop the driver on Highway 101 just south of Clark Avenue in Orcutt, but the RV continued southbound about 60 to 70 mph, eventually reaching the Buellton area.

"The vehicle stopped in front of a 76 gas station," said Captain Kevin McCool with CHP Buellton. "From there a standoff ensued where the reporting party exited the vehicle and ran to police safety.

The woman who was kidnapped told officers that her husband was in a methamphetamine induced psychosis and he had several weapons in the vehicle including knives and a dumbbell. She says her mother was deaf and sleeping under the bed.

McCool said the standoff lasted for at least two hours.

CHP contacted the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office for assistance.

From there, they employed the use of flash-bang grenades and were able to stun the suspect, allowing law enforcement to enter the motorhome and take him into custody.

McCool says he's grateful no one was hurt.

"That includes the officers, the hostage, the suspect. We don't want anybody hurt. This ended that way," McCool said.

The Buellton area CHP says the community really helped by avoiding the area during the standoff.

The man is being investigated for kidnapping, driving under the influence, and evading police.

CHP had originally stated that the kidnapped victim was the suspect's daughter. This story has been updated with the latest information.