SANTA MARIA – Two suspects connected to an alleged high-speed pursuit through city streets earlier this week have been arrested, according to the Police Department.
On Wednesday, police arrested the alleged driver, Santa Maria resident David De Los Santos, and his female passenger, Renae Burpee, a 30-year-old resident of Nipomo.
Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit on Monday afternoon in the 500 block of West Mill Street after receiving reports of a stolen vehicle.
As a precautionary measure, police ordered a lockdown of nearby schools, but opted to end the pursuit when the suspect’s reckless driving and complete disregard for public safety was deemed unsafe, police said.
Police recovered the abandoned vehicle later in the day in the area of Atlantic and Railroad. The officers searched for the driver but didn’t locate a suspect at the time.
Just before 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, officers observed De Los Santos, 35, walking in the area of the 200 block of North McClelland. After a short foot-pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for stolen vehicle and evading charges, police said.
De Los Santos was allegedly with Burpee, who was identified as the female passenger in the car during Monday’s high-speed chase, when police spotted him near North McClelland. Burpee was taken into custody for two outstanding felony warrants and possession of stolen property. She was also booked at Santa Barbara County Jail.
Read More:
KCOY: Two People Arrested in Connection With Stolen Vehicle Pursuit
Noozhawk: Police Arrest Suspect in High-Speed Chase, Vehicle Theft
April Charlton is a freelance journalist who specializes in criminal and local government matters. She has more than 11-plus years of experience as a reporter, covering everything from cops and courts to city and county governments. She writes for CrimeVoice and several newspapers on the Central Coast, including the Santa Maria Times, a daily publication, and its sister papers, Times Press Recorder and The Adobe Press. She may be reached at really_dawn@yahoo.com for any comments or suggestions that you may have.