One person was arrested in Santa Barbara on Friday afternoon, and another was being searched, in connection with two high-speed chases involving a stolen vehicle.
At about 3 p.m. Friday, a Santa Barbara police officer on patrol on Marilla Avenue in the far west of the city observed a gray SUV that had been reported stolen the previous day, according to Lt. Aaron Baker.
The vehicle, an Infinity SUV, fled down San Andrés Street before heading east on Carrillo Street.
Upon reaching Highway 101, the driver attempted to drive the wrong way down the highway ramp south, but was frustrated by heavy traffic, Baker told Noozhawk.
At that time, the driver and a passenger jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot while it was still moving, and the SUV collided with another vehicle.
Agents converged on the area, and quickly arrested one of the two occupants, a minor, in the nearby stream bed, Baker said.
The minor, whose name was not released due to his age, was cited for resisting arrest and released to his parents, Baker said.
The SUV was reported stolen Thursday, and was involved in a high-speed chase that day in the city, Baker said.
In that incident, officers chased the vehicle, which reportedly reached speeds of up to 80 mph, on Micheltorena and State Street, and then on Mission Street.
The driver headed west toward the highway and passed red lights on De la Vina and Bath streets before police stopped the pursuit for security reasons.
Baker said police know the identity of the suspected driver, who was not the person arrested, but that the information was not disclosed.
No one was injured in any pursuit, Baker said.
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