The investigation into a report of a possible carjacking in progress led to a heavy presence of police officers in northeast Santa Maria on Friday afternoon as they searched for suspects.

At approximately 3:50 p.m., Santa Maria Police Department dispatchers began getting several calls of a possible carjacking in progress in a shopping center on the 1600 block of North Broadway, Sgt. Andy Magallon said.

During the investigation, officers determined a victim was approached by three juvenile suspects, Magallon said 

“A verbal altercation took place, and one juvenile retrieved a firearm and pointed it at the victim,” Magallon said. “The suspects disengaged from the victim and began to walk away.  

“The victim was leaving the area in his vehicle when another juvenile brandished a firearm at the victim. The victim struck the juvenile with his vehicle as he fled the area.”

The three suspects left the area before the officers’ arrival, but with the help of witnesses police located two of the three juveniles. 

Police officers had help from a California Highway Patrol helicopter in searching for the outstanding suspect.

Officers conducted an extensive search for the outstanding suspect and firearms involved in the incident, leading to a large police presence in northeast Santa Maria.

One juvenile was booked into Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for assault with a deadly weapon and the other for brandishing a firearm, Magallon said.

It’s an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information can contact the Santa Maria Police Department at 805.928.3781 x2277.