A Santa Paula man suspected of committing lewd acts upon a child was arrested last week after being pursued by the California Highway Patrol in a chase that ranged into Orange and San Diego counties.
According to Santa Paula Police Sergeant Ryan Smith, SPPD tried to contact and arrest Marvin Arnoldo Duarte Garcia, 34, on March 23, but when he fled the city the SPPD issued a statewide alert. Smith said, “The suspect learned officers were attempting to contact him, and subsequently fled the area with two small children.” A coordinated effort between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the SPPD resulted in a CHP officer locating the suspect driving the vehicle south on Interstate 5 in the southern portion of Orange County. The CHP officer attempted to stop the vehicle, however Garcia failed to stop.
“The pursuit continued into San Diego County,” but in the area of the City of Oceanside, Smith said, “Garcia lost control of his vehicle and was involved in a traffic collision. He fled on foot from the scene.”
Oceanside Police responded to the scene and a department K-9 was able to apprehend Garcia as he fled into a lagoon. Garcia was arrested at the scene for several felonies, including reckless evading a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, leaving the scene of a traffic collision, and several crimes relating to illegal sexual acts with a child under the age of 14 years.
“The small children believed to be in the vehicle were found to have been dropped off with relatives prior to Garcia leaving Ventura County,” said Smith. Garcia was transported back to Ventura County and lodged in Ventura County Jail pending a court appearance.
“Because Garcia is believed to be a flight risk,” Smith said the SPPD petitioned the Superior Court to hold Garcia without bail. “Because of the nature of the crimes, and the age of the victim,” Smith said the child’s identify will not be released.
