On July 14th, 2016, at about 8:34pm, Kern County Sheriff's deputies responded to a burglary that had just occurred at a car wash in east Bakersfield. The business reported two suspects had entered the business, removed the cash register and fled the scene in a vehicle. Employees who witnessed the theft provided deputies with the description of the suspects and the suspect vehicle.
About 10 minutes later, a deputy from the Lamont Substation located the vehicle on Weedpatch Hwy. near Muller Road. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued for about five minutes but was terminated when deputies lost sight of the suspect vehicle.
Shortly after, an air unit from the Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit arrived in the area and located the vehicle as it entered westbound Hwy. 58 from Weedpatch Hwy. The air unit visually followed the vehicle as it continued westbound on Hwy. 58 at speeds above 120MPH.
The vehicle eventually exited Hwy. 58 but continued driving at a high rate of speed on surface streets near the area of Hwy. 99 and Panama Ln. The vehicle continued to the area of the Vallarta Market at South H Street and Wilson Road, at which time the suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran into the Vallarta Market.
Deputies arrived on scene within several minutes and set up a perimeter around the store with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Bakersfield Police Department. Store employees told deputies the suspects had ran to the back of the store and were hiding in an area at the back of the store. Customers and employees were evacuated from the store as deputies began searching the store for the suspects.
While searching, deputies located Anthony Ramirez, 20, hiding in a storage area. He was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies were unable to locate the second suspect and believe he may have exited the rear of the store prior to deputies setting a perimeter.
The vehicle the suspects were operating was determined to be reported stolen from Fresno and contained the cash register taken from the car wash. Later in the evening, deputies were able to locate and recover a second stolen car that was linked to the two suspects in this case.
Ramirez was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary, vehicle theft, reckless evading, conspiracy, delaying or resisting an officer, driving without a license, operating a vehicle against traffic and a felony no bail warrant. He is being held without bail. The second suspect is still outstanding.
If anyone has information on this case they are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.
