KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News-Dangerous High Speed Chase in Santa Maria

Dangerous High Speed Chase in Santa Maria

11.16.09

SANTA MARIA – Three people are each charged with six counts of attempted murder of police officers after a car chase through the streets of Santa Maria.

It was just after four Monday afternoon when the Santa Maria Police Department received a tip.

A parolee, considered to be armed and dangerous, had been spotted in the passenger's seat of an S.U.V.

When they found him the vehicle sped off and a dangerous pursuit ensued.

Officers shut down College between Betteravia and Battles in Santa Maria searching for evidence from the shooting.

The suspected shooter is 33 year old Joseph Deleon of Santa Maria.

He missed the police cars and there were no reported injuries or damages.

It all started near Mercury and Auto Park on the south side of Santa Maria.

Officers attempted to pull over the Dodge Durango in which Deleon was a passenger.

They had been looking for the wanted drug dealer and considered him to be a very dangerous man.

When police spotted him Monday afternoon he was the passenger in the vehicle driven by 49 year old Barbara Trevino.

She led officers on the chase across the city.

In addition to Deleon, she had a second passenger in the car, 30 year old Albert Valdez.

Fifteen minutes into the chase Trevino slowed down on North Benwiley.

Deleon got out and took off on foot.

Officers quickly caught and arrested him.

Trevino finally stopped on Main Street and was arrested along with Valdez.

This is the second chase through Santa Maria in the last seven days.

Officers say they try to avoid them at all costs, but they will do whatever it takes to make the streets a safer place.

In addition to the attempted murder charges the suspects also face charges of street terrorism, felony evasion and transportation of methamphetamine.