On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, Santa Paula Police Officers investigating reports of “lewd acts upon a child”, attempted to contact and arrest the suspect, Marvin Arnoldo Duarte Garcia, 34 years of age and a resident of Santa Paula. The suspect learned officers were attempting to contact him, and subsequently fled the area with two small children.
During the course of the investigation, the Santa Paula Police Department initiated a statewide alert. A coordinated effort between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Santa Paula Police Department resulted in a CHP officer locating the suspect driving the vehicle south on Interstate 5 in the southern portion of Orange County.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle however, Garcia failed to stop. The pursuit continued into San Diego County. In the area of the City of Oceanside, Garcia lost control of his vehicle and was involved in a traffic collision. He fled on foot from the scene. An Oceanside Police Department canine was able to apprehend Garcia as he fled into a lagoon. He was arrested at the scene for several felonies, including reckless evading a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, leaving the scene of a traffic collision, and several crimes relating to illegal sexual acts with a child under the age of 14 years. The small children believed to be in the vehicle were found to have been dropped off with relatives prior to Garcia leaving Ventura County.
Garcia was transported back to Ventura County and lodged in the Ventura County Jail pending a court appearance. Because Garcia is believed to be a flight risk, the Santa Paula Police Department has petitioned the Superior Court to hold Garcia without bail. Because of the nature of the crimes, and the age of the victim, the child’s identity will not be released.

Ryan Smith # 1021
Police Sergeant