Carlos Encinas
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Proving once again that impressionable people may be negatively influenced by TV cop shows and the vehicular mayhem as portrayed in blockbuster movies, the October 31st arrest of 30-year-old Santa Maria resident Carlos Encinas followed a high-speed chase that was so reckless and dangerous that pursuing Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department deputies were forced to suspend pursuit in the interests of public safety.
It all began, according to SBSD Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover, on the night of October 24th when deputies responded to a report of “a suspicious vehicle” parked in a residential area.
When deputies attempted to make contact with the vehicle, it accelerated away from the scene and the chase was on. Because the suspect vehicle was operated at such high speeds and “crossed into the opposite lane of traffic multiple times,” the cops called off the chase.
The ensuing investigation led detectives to the determination that Encinas had been behind the wheel that night, and that he was “wanted on multiple felony warrants” including one to the tune of $1,000,000 on charges of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and stalking pursuant to a domestic violence case dating back to 2015.
Once Encinas’ whereabouts were determined, deputies served an arrest warrant at the home where he was residing, whereupon he promptly “attempted to flee and assaulted a Sheriff’s deputy” before ultimately being taken into custody. He was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail where he was booked on his outstanding warrants as well as on charges of evading and resisting arrest.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
