Target of Police Manhunt Apprehended
Jun 14 – Santa Barbara County
Jonathan Hays, 24, led Santa Maria Police and Santa Barbara County Sheriffs on a 90-minute chase through north county residential neighborhoods as he sought to evade arrest on June 13th, but was ultimately “run to ground”, according to Santa Maria Police Department spokesman Sgt. Marc Schneider in reports to the media yesterday.
Jonathan Hays
The chase began just before noon when Hays was spotted by a foot patrol deputy in downtown Santa Maria. When the officer made eye contact with Hays, the wanted felon “took off running, jumping a series of backyard fences” Schneider said. The patrol officer immediately called for support, and arriving Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies quickly established a focused perimeter to contain their suspect. The SBSD K-9 unit police dog “Targo” arrived on scene and quickly narrowed the search to the North McLelland Ave. environs.
Wanted on a felony parole violation, Hays was ultimately tracked by “Targo” and found hiding in a backyard water heater cabinet. “He was perspiring heavily from the heat in that closet” when arrested, Schneider said. Hays was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of parole violation where he is currently held without bail.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read more:
Santa Maria Times: Wanted Felon found during search
Noozhawk: Wanted Felon Captured After Fleeing Into Residential Area
KCOY: Police Manhunt Grips Santa Maria Neighborhood
