Five people were arrested after fleeing from a traffic stop Sunday evening in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed.
Around 4:00 p.m., CHP tried to pull over a driver who was missing a front license plate and was speeding. Officials say four people jumped out of the car and ran. One person, who did not run away, was detained.
Another suspect was later located near the Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office officials say they were informed that suspects may have been armed with semi-automatic handguns. It was also suspected they ran into the Mesa Oaks neighborhood near the 1400 block of Burton Mesa Boulevard.
Deputies set up a perimeter in the Mesa Oaks neighborhood as neighbors were told to shelter in place.
A Santa Barbara County Sheriff/Fire Air Support helicopter used night time vision to eventually find the remaining three suspects. All five were taken into custody by 5:20 p.m.
No guns were recovered from the suspects.
