Wanted Suspect Apprehended After Multi-Agency Police Pursuit in Shasta County
On February 8, 2023, the Shasta County Sheriff South County Patrol Station received a call about a suspicious individual running to a parked vehicle on Mountain View Drive, in the unincorporated area of Anderson.
According to a department press release, deputies were dispatched to the area and, as they were driving, they located a man identified as Michael Robert Oyarzo (26) of Redding. Oyarzo was reportedly seen running to the vehicle and driving away from the scene.
Deputies pursued Ovarzo, who managed to escape by driving through three backyards, until his vehicle became disabled. Oyarzo then fled on foot, and the deputies lost sight of him. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Drone team and the California Highway Patrol Air Operations were notified and deployed to assist in the search, and the drone team was able to locate Oyarzo.
With help from the public, deputies were able to track Oyarzo as he ran through residential yards and allegedly stole a motorcycle. The drone team was able to maintain a visual of Oyarzo as he fled the scene and eventually entered the Sacramento River. The Anderson Police Department was also called to assist in the search. The drone team guided the police and the deputies to Oyarzo, who was found hiding in a tree that was overhanging the river.
Oyarzo was eventually placed under arrest and booked into the Shasta County Jail, the Sheriff’s Office said.
A records check reportedly revealed that Oyarzo was wanted for questioning in connection with an armed robbery that had taken place earlier that day in the city of Redding. Oyarzo was charged with multiple alleged crimes, including vehicle pursuit, vandalism, resisting arrest, and vehicle theft.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office would like to express their gratitude to the California Highway Patrol, the Anderson Police Department, and the members of the public who reported sightings of Oyarzo as he fled. The cooperation and assistance of all parties involved was instrumental in the successful capture of this suspect.
The use of advanced technology, such as drones, played a crucial role in this pursuit and capture, and their general use in law enforcement has become increasingly common in recent years, proving to be a valuable tool in helping to apprehend suspects.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office will continue to use all available resources, including technology and partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. They will also continue to work closely with the public to gather information and solve crimes. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to always be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
