Freeway Foot Chase Ends Knife Assault

Santa Barbara – One of the state’s most heavily-traveled thoroughfares was completely shut down in the early afternoon of April 10th when a 911 Emergency call made via cellphone from a Goleta retail location which threatened non-specified law enforcement agencies led to an armed confrontation on U.S. Highway 101.

According to Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover’s report to the media, “One of our motor units responded and made contact with the subject, who then brandished a knife and made threatening statements about hurting

officers,” adding that the deputy held the suspect at gunpoint.

The responding motorcycle officer maintained surveillance and a safe distance from Harley Brian Kelly, 62, who did not respond to orders to drop the knife. At that point, the officer “pulled out his firearm and tried to hold him there at gunpoint,” Hoover added, as Kelly entered U.S. 101’s northbound Patterson Avenue onramp. Additional Sheriff units reported to the scene as Kelly crossed over both northbound and southbound lanes

of the high-speed freeway, and attempted to exit the area on the southbound Patterson Avenue offramp.

“Throughout the contact, Kelly had a knife and was threatening deputies and refusing to cooperate and surrender,” Hoover said. Local media also responded to the scene while units of the California Highway Patrol arrived to stop all traffic and contain the preambulatory suspect. With drivers at a standstill and alighting from their vehicles to witness the action, Deputies were ordering people to abandon their cars and run away from the scene for their own safety. Immediately thereafter, with nearly a dozen armed deputies surrounding Kelly, he was subdued following the discharge of seven high-powered bean bag rounds and a like

number of Taser shots.

As Kelly was forced to the ground, he was taken into custody without further incident. He was taken to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital for treatment

of minor injuries suffered in the confrontation, and was subsequently booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer.

Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking

Read more:

KEYT ABC Channel 3: Deputies Chase Man with a Knife on Highway

KVEC News 920AM: Goleta Man Arrested After Threatening Police with Knife

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office: Goleta Man with Knife Threatens Deputies