Missing Teen and Wanted Subject Located in Washington

Update by Santa Barbara County Sheriff
October 12, 2017

Missing teenager, Destiny Navarette, and wanted subject, Miguel Perez, were located today, October 11, 2017, in Othello, Washington. The 16-year-old Orcutt teenager was reported missing by her family on September 19, 2017 and was believed to be with her boyfriend, 18-year-old Miguel Perez De La Cruz of Guadalupe. Perez had a warrant out for his arrest for a probation violation and a criminal protective order prohibiting Perez from contacting Navarette.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives with the assistance of the Othello Police Department had been working together in an attempt to locate Perez and Navarette. Just after 4:00 p.m. today, the two were discovered in the City of Othello where one of Perez’s relatives lived.

Navarette was found safe and is in the process of being returned to her family. Perez was taken into custody and booked into jail in Washington for violation of his restraining order.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff
October 6, 2017

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public assistance to locate a missing teenager and her boyfriend who is a wanted subject. At approximately 7:45 a.m. on September 19, 2017, the family of 16-year-old Destiny Navarette of Orcutt reported her missing to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. She was last seen on the morning of September 18, 2017 at Righetti High School where she attends.

She is believed to be with her boyfriend, 18-year-old Miguel Perez De La Cruz, of Guadalupe who has an active warrant out for his arrest for a probation violation. There is also a current, criminal protective order prohibiting Perez from contacting Navarette. Earlier this year she was reported as a runaway and was in the company of Perez. There is no information to suggest that Navarette is being held against her will but the Sheriff’s Office hopes to find her and reunite her with her family.  

Perez may be associated with a blue 2001 Fo rd minivan, Ca. lic #6VUA712 vehicle registered to his father. There was a report he had planned to move to the Oregon area. At this time, there is no information that indicates that the two are headed to Oregon. It is believed they may be staying in hotels in the Santa Maria area and there are reports that they have been spotted recently in Guadalupe. 

If you have any information on their whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 805-934-6170. Leave an anonymous tip online, or call 805-681-4171.