Armed robbery suspect caught at gunpoint fleeing Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - An armed robbery suspect was caught at gunpoint Monday evening on Highway 101 after a gas station holdup in Santa Barbara.

NewsChannel 3 was there as a handgun and rifle were taken from the suspect's vehicle. Both were loaded, according to officers on the scene.

A duffle bag with ammunition, a vest filled with gun clips, a hunting knife and other evidence were taken from the Lexus SUV the suspect was driving.

Sgt. Chris Payne said the officers got a 911 call about 5 p.m. with information about the holdup at the Mobil Service Station on the corner of La Cumbre and 3890 State Street.

The suspect's description and the vehicle were given to all responding officers.

"One of our K9 units was responding northbound and actually saw the vehicle traveling southbound. The K9 officer was able to relay that information," said Payne.

That officer turned around and joined a detective in an unmarked vehicle who entered the freeway and spotted the vehicle south of Milpas.

Heavy Labor Day traffic hindered the suspect's getaway.

A felony stop, with guns drawn, was made on the freeway around Hot Springs Road. The suspect surrendered without resistance. The CHP also assisted with a motorcycle patrol officer.

Police say the alleged armed robber, Russell Bradley Wallace, a 29-year-old Ventura resident, was found with multiple pieces of evidence linking him back to the robbery.

Recovered from the vehicle were a loaded handgun, an AR15 assault rifle, numerous loaded magazines, along with an armored vest, a hunting knife and ballistic helmet.

Wallace was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for armed robbery and weapons related charges.