Shandon crime spree suspect escapes capture

September 21, 2018

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies failed to catch a suspect or suspects who committed a crime spree in Shandon on Thursday that included a home burglary and three auto thefts. [Cal Coast Times]

The string of incidents began at about 2:20 p.m., when it was reported that a truck was stolen in the 100 block of South 7^thStreet. The truck was later crashed in the 2500 block of San Juan Road, officials said.

Next, the suspect or suspects stole a nearby ranch utility vehicle and drove it to the 300 block of Truesdale Road in Shandon, where a home was burglarized. Sheriff’s officials say it is not known what items were stolen from the home.

A single suspect then ran to a nearby home in the 600 block of Mesa Grande Drive, after which the thief stole a car that was parked in the driveway of a home in the 500 block of Mesa Drive.

Sheriff’s deputies, CHP officers and a CHP helicopter conducted a search but failed to locate any suspects. Investigators believe the suspects have left the area.

One witness described a possible suspect as a white man, 20 to 25 years old who is 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin build, and a light-colored beard. He was said to be wearing a blue shirt and black pants.

Deputies found the last vehicle that was stolen, which was reportedly a black 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was located in Paso Robles.

Deputies are asking anyone who has information about the crime spree to call the sheriff’s office at 805-781-4550 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-STOP.