On 8/30/2015 at 0926 hours, Deputies from the North Area Substation were dispatched to the Jack in the Box restaurant, located at 21958 Highway 46 in Lost Hills, regarding a “Suspicious Circumstance” investigation. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the restaurant manager who advised a female employee did not show up to work today at her scheduled time. During the investigation, deputies developed information that the female employee was possibly being held against her will by her estranged boyfriend, Miguel Barreto, a 29 year old Hispanic male. Barreto was possibly occupying a gray Hyundai Elantra.
At approximately 1140 hours, a Wasco City deputy saw a vehicle matching the description of Barreto’s in the area of Broadway Avenue and 13th Street. The deputy recognized the driver of the vehicle as Barreto, and attempted to stop the vehicle. Barreto failed to yield and immediately accelerated and attempted to evade the deputy and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The deputy pursued Barreto for several blocks, and saw Barreto flee on foot from the vehicle in the area of 13th Street and D Street. As Barreto fled from the vehicle, deputies saw him holding a handgun in his right hand.
Deputies, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol and Shafter Police Department, established a perimeter in the area Barreto was last seen, and began a yard to yard search using K-9’s. While searching the property at 1225 13th Street, deputies discovered Barreto was barricaded inside a bedroom at this residence with an unknown female. Barreto initially refused to come out, and a SWAT callout was initiated for a potential hostage situation with the unknown female. Deputies negotiated with Barreto were able to get him to surrender. Barreto exited the bedroom and was arrested without further incident. The handgun Barreto was in possession of was located inside the bedroom.
Barreto was arrested for sexual assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, resisting arrest, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property and carjacking.
The original kidnapping victim was located inside the Hyundai Elantra unharmed, and was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment. It is unknown at this time if the female Barreto was in the residence with at 1225 13th Street is a victim of any crimes. This investigation is ongoing.
