BUELLTON — A Buellton man wanted on a warrant issued by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri was arrested Thursday in Buellton, authorities said.
Around 2:45 p.m. Thursday, deputies with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 400 block of Farmland Drive to attempt to locate 34-year-old Mitchell Medina. Mr. Medina was wanted on suspicion of felony vehicle theft and tampering after allegedly stealing a maroon Chevrolet truck, said Raquel Zick, sheriff’s spokeswoman.
Deputies located the stolen vehicle in the driveway and attempted to get Mr. Medina to exit the residence. He initially opened the front door and spoke with deputies before running back inside and closing the door.
As deputies continued to talk with Mr. Medina, he picked up his young child and paced indoors and refused to be taken into custody.
Additional resources responded, and Mr. Medina eventually walked out of the residence and handed his child to deputies on scene. The child was turned over to Child Welfare Services, Ms. Zick said.
The stolen vehicle was towed and Mr. Medina was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail where he was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest, felony child endangerment and the warrant. He was booked on $0 bail but remained in custody while extradition to Missouri was arranged.
COURTESY PHOTO
