Chase and arrest of man accused of taxi theft in Santa Barbara

A Santa Barbara police officer arrested 46-year-old Mario Guerrero-Ramirez for allegedly stealing a taxi cab in Santa Barbara early Friday morning and leading police on a chase.

Officers responded to the area of ​​North La Cumbre Road and Via Lucero around 1:20 a.m. Friday after a carjacking was reported. Once on scene, officers learned that a taxi driver had been the victim of a carjacking by a passenger, later identified as Guerrero-Ramirez, after asking for a ride to the north side of the city. When the taxi arrived at its destination, Ramirez “threatened the driver with a knife and stole the taxi and the driver’s personal belongings,” according to information from Santa Barbara Police.

When Guerrero-Ramirez was found in the stolen taxi at 4500 Hollister Avenue shortly after the 911 call, he fled from police in the vehicle, sparking a chase. The 46-year-old man surrendered to police on the southbound 101 Highway near the Sheffield exit, where he was taken into custody without further incident, according to spokesman Ethan Ragsdale.

The taxi driver was not injured in this incident. Police noted that the taxi and his personal belongings were returned.

Guerrero-Ramirez was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of auto theft, driving without a license, eluding police and violating probation. He is currently being held without bail.