Two Arrested in Connection with Vehicle Pursuit, Officer-Involved Shooting in Kern County
BAKERSFIELD, CA — A motorist and passenger have both been arrested in connection with a law enforcement pursuit and officer-involved shooting in early February.
According to a press release by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a stolen vehicle late on the night of Sunday, Feb. 4, near E. California Avenue and Chamberlain Avenue in east Bakersfield.
A Metro Patrol deputy located the vehicle near Edison Highway and Sterling Road and initiated a traffic stop with assistance from an Air Support unit, the sheriff’s office said.
The driver, later identified as Raul Candido, 24, allegedly fled the scene, leading to a pursuit. Authorities say Candido drove through a field and damaged a fence before heading west on Highway 58.
Upon exiting the highway at Fairfax Road, Candido allegedly drove through the fence of a local business on the 6400 block of East Brundage Lane, damaging the parking embankment and disabling the vehicle.
After the pursuit, Candido and a passenger, identified as Stephen Romo, 27, fled on foot near Brundage Lane and Fairfax Road. An officer-involved shooting occurred but no injuries were reported, authorities said.
Candido was ultimately arrested on suspicion of reckless evading, evading in the opposite direction of traffic, motor vehicle theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of burglary tools, and out-of-county warrants.
He was also arrested on additional charges, including driving under the influence of narcotics, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.
Romo was arrested on suspicion of reckless evading, evading in the opposite direction of traffic, possession of a controlled substance with priors, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and out-of-county warrants.
On Wednesday, March 5, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office convened an incident review board to examine the use of force in the case. The board reportedly determined that the use of force was within department policy.
