Full Notification

**Final UPDATE & VIDEO**Sheriff Jim McDonnell and Major Crimes Bureau Captain Eddie Hernandez give details regarding the arrest of RV pursuit suspect fugitive arrested in Barstow
 
Press Conference Video
 
After a two day manhunt for the suspect, with Major Crimes Bureau detectives following leads through multiple counties, suspect Houk was located in a rail yard located on the 200 Block of North Avenue H, in the city of Barstow.  On Thursday, May 3^rd, 2018 at approximately 4:30 PM, Suspect Houk was found hiding inside a compartment of an empty rail car (photos attached) where detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau -Fugitive Task Force took him into custody without incident.
 
Suspect Houk was transported to Lancaster Sheriff’s Station where he is being held for kidnapping with the use of a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, domestic violence, child endangerment, and felony evading; totaling 14 felony counts.  His bail was set at $1 million dollars. Captain Eddie Hernandez commented that Suspect Houk’s potential sentence, if convicted on all counts, could be up to 75 years in prison. 

The successful capture of suspect Houk was a collaborative effort between many law enforcement agencies spanning several counties.  Sheriff Jim McDonnell thanked the Major Crimes Bureau detectives within the LASD, the US Marshal’s Service, the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Police Department, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Police Department, and the news media for their continued efforts in keeping dangerous criminals off the streets. 
 
“The jurisdictional lines are an impediment if you let them be, but if you have the partnerships and you work well with other agencies, as we saw in this case, they are not an impediment and we were very effective in our ability to be able to track this individual and take him into custody”, said Sheriff Jim McDonnell. 
 
Benjamin Grubb, Sergeant
@LASDBen
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
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"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 

___________________________________________________
3rd UPDATE IS AS FOLLOWS:

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Major Crimes Bureau Fugitive Task Force Detectives, in a joint effort with the US Marshals Services, and with the assistance of Kern County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Barstow Police Department and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF Railway) Police, located and arrested Suspect Stephen Merle Houk.

The suspect was located in a rail yard at 200 North Avenue H, in the city of Barstow. He was hiding inside a compartment of an empty rail car where detectives from the Fugitive Task Force took him into custody without incident.

Suspect Houk was transported to Lancaster Sheriff’s Station where he was booked for kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, domestic violence, and various other charges. 

The investigation is ongoing and at this point the weapon has not been recovered.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank both the federal and local law enforcement agencies, the railroad police and personnel, and the public news media outlets, for their continued efforts in assisting law enforcement in keeping dangerous criminals like this off the streets.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Major Crimes Bureau at (213) 229-1850. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Forwarded by:
Deputy Trina Schrader
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor 
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
___________________________________________________
2ND UPDATE IS AS FOLLOWS:

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into Stephen Merle Houk a Parolee at Large wanted for sex crimes out of the state of Oregon (WNO #14556869).  He is also wanted out of Santa Carita for assault with a deadly weapon, child abduction, terrorist threats, and evading.  He was last seen in the Bakersfield / Shafter area on foot and is considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
 
Suspect Houk is described as a male, White, 46 years-old, 5’11” tall, 190lbs., with brown hair, and hazel eyes.  He has a cow skull tattoo on his right forearm. 

There is no further information available at this time.
 
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Suspect Stephen Merle Houk are asked to contact Major Crimes Bureau (562) 946-7893.   If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Forwarded by:
Kimberly Alexander, Deputy
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor 
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700  


___________________________________ 
1^st Update


Los Angeles County Sheriff's Santa Clarita Valley Station detectives have advised that the children kidnapped by suspect Stephen Houk, were located unharmed inside the pursuit vehicle shortly after the pursuit came to an end in Bakersfield on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Both children have since been reunited with their mother. The dog that was seen in video footage during the pursuit, was also located safe inside the vehicle.  

California Highway Patrol (CHP) advises the pursuit of Stephen Houk, that lead law enforcement from Los Angeles to Bakerfield, ended at an orchard on Merced Avenue and Zerker Road, in Bakersfield. A containment was established and a search of the orchard began. After an extensive search over several hours by CHP, Kern County Sheriff's and Bakersfield Police Department personnel, Suspect Houk was not located and the containment was broken down at approximately 11:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2018. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and law enforcement in Bakersfield will follow-up on any leads and tips from the public as to the whereabouts of Suspect Stephen Houk. The suspect, a 46 year-old Caucasian male, is also a registered sex offender out of the state of Oregon who was on parole for a sex offense.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Santa Clarita Station at (661) 255-1121. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Forwarded by:
Deputy Trina Schrader
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor 
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
_____________________________________________________
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS:

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau (MCB) detectives attempted to detain a parolee at large who was believed to be armed and wanted for evading, child abduction, child endangerment and weapons violations.
 
The suspect, a 46 year-old Caucasian male, is also a registered sex offender out of the state of Oregon who was on parole for a sex offense.
 
MCB initiated a vehicle pursuit at approximately 2:30 p.m. today in the Mid City/Wilshire district area in the city of Los Angeles.
 
Los Angeles Police Department personnel assumed command of the pursuit which was subsequently taken over by the California Highway Patrol when the suspect continued to flee in a motorhome on Interstate 5 going north. 
 
The suspect’s two children, ages three years and 11 months, are believed to be inside the motorhome. 
 
The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Santa Clarita Station at (661) 255-1121.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the "P3 MOBILE APP" on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
 
 
Juanita Navarro-Suarez, Deputy
@LASDJuanita
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org 
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/  
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
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Pinterest LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department