Nipomo Resident Arrested Following Pursuit

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

At approximately 2:58 p.m. on August 10, 2017, members assigned to the Sheriff’s Compliance Response Team (CRT) observed a known wanted subject, Nicholas McCloud, as the passenger in a vehicle in the 100 block of E. Donovan Road in the City of Santa Maria. McCloud is currently on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for 69 PC – Resist officer with force/violence. A traffic stop was attempted on the vehicle and the female driver rapidly accelerated in order to flee from deputies. CRT units initiated a vehicle pursuit and the suspect vehicle was described as a white 1994 Lincoln Continental, occupied by a female driver and male passenger. The suspect vehicle entered HWY 101 northbound at a high rate of speed. CRT units requested the assistance of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff and Fire Air Support Unit, and Copter 2 responded to assist with the pursuit.

CRT units pursued the suspect vehicle, which continued northbound on HWY 101 and they continued to pursue the vehicle as it entered into San Luis Obispo County. Sheriff’s units requested the assistance of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Santa Maria Police Department and the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect vehicle continued to flee and at approximately 3:08 pm, CRT units lost visual of the suspect vehicle and terminated the pursuit. Sheriff’s Dispatch broadcasted a Be On The Lookout to allied agencies.

At approximately 3:21 pm, CHP units located the suspect vehicle in San Luis Obispo County and initiated a pursuit. The suspect vehicle was still occupied by the male and female suspects. The vehicle entered HWY 101 southbound and continued to flee. The suspect vehicle exited HWY 101 southbound at the Broadway exit in the City of Santa Maria. CHP terminated the pursuit and notified the Santa Maria Police Department. Responding units lost sight of the vehicle and multiple units started setting up a perimeter in the area. 

At approximately 3:39 pm, Santa Maria Police officers observed a male and female in the 1300 block of Western in Santa Maria City, matching the description of the two suspects. The suspect vehicle was also located in an alley in the 1100 block of W. Donovan. The female was positively identified as the driver, Felicia Rae Hendricks, 23 years old from Nipomo. The male, identified as Ruben Anthony Najera, 23 years old from Santa Maria, was determined to not be involved in the pursuit; however, he had two $25,000 arrest warrants, so he was also arrested.

Investigation revealed that Hendricks and McCloud, after fleeing on foot from the pursuit vehicle, forcibly entered an occupied residence in order to continue their escape. Hendricks and McCloud were identified by the residents as the suspects who unlawfully entered their house. Hendricks was arrested for 2800.2 VC – Felony evading in a vehicle, 32 PC – Accessory, and 459 PC – Residential burglary. 

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public to locate wanted subject Nicholas McCloud. If you see him, do not attempt to contact him, immediately call 911. 

The Sheriff’s Office values the public’s participation in keeping our community safe. There are several ways that citizens can report crimes anonymously. In-progress emergencies should be reported by calling 911, and non-emergency tips can be called in to the Santa Barbara County Emergency Dispatch Center at (805) 683-2724 or on our website at www.sbsheriff.org.

The Compliance Response Team is a joint effort between the Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara County Probation Department.