Santa Barbara County – A full week has passed since Santa Barbara County Sheriffs and Santa Maria Police units lost sight of Sergio Benny Castro, 32, carrying two passengers in the stolen car he was driving led law enforcement on a short high-speed chase through area residential streets late on the night of March 12th.
When deputies answered a 911 Emergency call reporting a white GMC pickup truck cruising suspiciously through neighborhoods, Castro reacted to their appearance on the scene by hitting the gas and eluding patrol units long enough for him and his passengers to flee the scene on foot.
The ensuing intensive police search of the area turned up no sign of Castro, but one of his passengers was observed nearby, according to Santa Maria Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jesus Valle, “acting suspiciously”. Upon contact, Alexander Trujillo, 27, was determined to be wanted on an outstanding felony warrant and was taken into custody and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail.
Castro—wanted on a felony “no bail” warrant—has a history of engaging in high-speed police pursuits, having been arrested in December of 2012 under similar circumstances detailed on CrimeVoice at that time.
In the present case, he has not yet been located, leading authorities to reach out to the public for any possible leads. He “should be considered armed and dangerous,” according to Valle, and is described as an Hispanic male with black hair, goatee, multiple tattoos visible on both arms, stands 5’11”, 250 pounds, and frequently wears a hat. Anyone with any information about him or where he may be located is urged to call Santa Maria Police at 805-928-3781.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read more:
KCOY: Santa Maria police searching for convicted felon
NOOZHAWK: Wanted Santa Maria man flees after police pursuit
CrimeVoice: Man leads police on Pursuit through Santa Maria
