Pursuit and Arrest of Wanted Criminal

(Photo: John Palminteri / KEYT)

Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

On 8/9/17, at about 7:30am, Santa Barbara Police Officers were in a marked police vehicle in the 200 block of North Alisos Street. The Officers observed a subject that recognized as having a $50,000 for felony warrant for 211 PC- Robbery, among other charges. The wanted subject was Hilario Noe Lopez, a 35 year old Santa Barbara resident. Lopez was riding a bicycle when he was told to stop by Officers. Lopez ignored the Officers’ commands to stop and continued to flee on his bicycle as Officers gave chase in their car. After several blocks, one of the Officers exited the patrol car and gave chase of Lopez on foot who was still fleeing on his bicycle.

Additional Officers responded into the area, who observed Lopez fleeing from pursuing Officers on foot and in a car. As Lopez refused to surrender, several Officers grabbed onto Lopez and pulled him off his bicycle and he was taken to the ground and into custody in the 800 block of Quinientos Street. Lopez was arrested for 69 PC – Use of Violence to Deter or Prevent an Officer in the Performance of His or Her duty, 466 PC – Possession of Burglary Tools. Two of the Officers received minor injuries during the struggle to take Lopez into custody. Lopez received a minor abrasion during the arrest.

(Photo: John Palminteri / KEYT)

The warrant for Lopez’s arrest stemmed from 7/21/17. On this date, a female witness observed Lopez breaking into a vehicle in the area of 1500 Anacapa Street. The witness knew the owner of the victim’s vehicle and contacted the female victim immediately. The victim confronted Lopez who was holding property that he had just stolen from her vehicle. Neither the witness nor victim knew Lopez. As Lopez was preparing to leave the crime scene on his bike, the witness and victim attempted to stop him by grabbing on to his bicycle. Lopez then produced what appeared to be a sharp object and brandished it at the victim, then slashed her with it and stabbed at her while threatening to kill her.

The victim suffered minor laceration injuries as a result of Lopez’s actions, in addition to bruises and cuts. During the struggle with the females, Lopez was able to escape and flee the area however he was photographed by the witness who used her cellular phone. Crimes Against Persons Detective Aijian was assigned this case. Detective Aijian ultimately identified Lopez as the suspect and obtained the arrest warrant for Lopez for the following crimes: 211 PC – Robbery, 459 PC – Burglary, and 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with Deadly Weapon.