Sheriff’s deputies were scouring an eastern Goleta neighborhood Tuesday night, looking for a wanted man who they say struck a police vehicle with his vehicle before fleeing on foot.
The suspect was not in police custody as of 9 p.m. The investigation was ongoing, and his vehicle was towed from a footpath that he drove on, according to Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began shortly after 6 p.m. in the area of Hollister and Patterson avenues, according to Zick.
The man being sought — 40-year-old Anthony Torres Lopez Jr. of Santa Barbara — is wanted on a felony warrant, Zick said.
He was described as 6 feet tall with black hair and a scruffy beard.
“He shed clothing as he fled — unknown what he is now wearing,” Zick said. “Public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they spot him or know his current location.”
A perimeter was established, and deputies, aided by a K-9 unit and a helicopter, were searching along the bike path that parallels Maria Ignacio Creek.
The search also appeared to be focused on the Patterson Place apartment complex. Emergency radio traffic indicated Lopez may have headed south on the bike path towards Patterson Mesa.
Check back with Noozhawk for updates to this story.
