70 year old woman hit by stolen vehicle: Santa Paula Police arrest suspect

On November 3, 2015 at approximately 3:50pm, a 55 year old male victim contacted the SPPD to report his 1986 Honda Accord stolen by a known suspect, Santa Paula resident 21 year old Steven Claudio. A stolen vehicle report was taken and the information was passed on to SPPD patrol officers.

On November 4, 2015 at approximately 10:45am, an SPPD officer spotted the stolen vehicle on West Santa Paula St. and conducted a registration check to confirm. The vehicle was confirmed to be stolen through dispatch while the officer followed it through city streets. The officer waited for additional police units to arrive so that a “high risk stop” could be conducted. As the officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of Harvard Blvd. and Palm Ave., the driver failed to yield. Officer’s followed the vehicle onto westbound SR126 where a pursuit ensued. The driver exited the freeway at Peck Rd. and continued to flee north at a high rate of speed, running red lights and passing other vehicles on the opposite side of the roadway. As the vehicle neared Peck Rd. and Santa Paula St. it was determined that the pursuit was too dangerous to continue and it was called off. As officers disengaged from the pursuit, the driver continued traveling at a high rate of speed, running stop signs and passing other vehicles on the left and right.

A short time later an SPPD officer came across the scene of a collision in the area of Santa Paula St. and Bradley. The vehicle involved was found to be the stolen vehicle. The collision investigation revealed that the driver attempted to make a high speed left turn from Santa Paula St. onto Bradley St. and struck a 70 year old female pedestrian who was crossing the street, causing moderate injuries. The vehicle continued onto the lawn of the residence on the northeast corner and collided into a boat trailer. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot, north on Bradley and out of view of witnesses in the area.

A perimeter was quickly established and approximately 20 minutes later, the suspect was located hiding behind a residence in the 100 blk. of Pleasant St and apprehended with the assistance of a police K-9.

The female collision victim was transported to the Santa Paula Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to fully recover.

Suspect: Steven Claudio

The suspect was transported to the Santa Paula Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during his apprehension. Upon being cleared from the hospital, the suspect was transported to the SPPD and booked on the following charges;
10851(a) VC; Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle
2800.2(a) VC; Evading a Peace Officer; Reckless Driving
20001(a) VC; Hit & Run with Injuries
12500(a) VC; Unlicensed Driver
He was later transported and lodged at the Ventura County Jail.

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