Carjacking Suspects Arrested Following Pursuit

By the Santa Maria Police Department

On the evening of Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 1902 hrs, SMPD Officers responded to the report of a carjacking in the area of 900 W Cook St.

The initial investigation revealed three suspects threatened the owner of the car with a blunt object and then assaulted him with it. Approximately 20 minutes later, the vehicle was spotted by Officers and a pursuit ensued.

The suspect driver traveled at high rates of speed and failed to obey signs in a residential area and the pursuit was terminated for public safety concerns. A short time later, the suspect vehicle was found abandoned around Blosser/Stowell. Officers flooded the area and located two of the three suspects.

The two were taken into custody without incident and one was able to evade capture. The two were soon identified as a 15-year-old male and a 16-year-old male. It is the policy of the Santa Maria Police Department to not release names of juvenile arrestees.

The two juvenile suspects were booked into the Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall and charged with 215 PC (Carjacking). The investigation is ongoing regarding the identity of the third suspect.

Any witness to this crime or if you have any information as to the identity of the outstanding suspect, you are encouraged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781 ext 2277.