Repeat SLO County offender arrested in Paso after allegedly stealing a car, fleeing police
An Atascadero man with a history of burglary and other crimes was arrested Friday in Paso Robles on suspicion of auto theft and resisting arrest after observant police officers spotted a stolen vehicle.
Officers with the Paso Robles Police Department located a stolen Nissan Altima parked in the 300 block of Oak Street, according to a police news release sent Friday. The release did not specify what time the incident occurred, and a department spokesman did not immediately return a request for additional information.
During an investigation, Paso Robles officers learned that Ryan Antone Dutra, 41, had parked the vehicle and was inside a nearby residence, the release said.
As officers attempted to contact him, Dutra fled but was quickly apprehended, police said. The vehicle’s keys were allegedly found with Dutra’s belongings and paperwork bearing his name were allegedly found inside the vehicle.
The San Luis Obispo County Auto Theft Task Force was notified and Dutra was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of auto theft, being under the influence, resisting arrest, and having an outstanding felony warrant, police said.
Police say this is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464.
According to court records, Dutra has a long history of criminal convictions in San Luis Obispo County dating back to 1997, including possession of a deadly weapon, theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, resisting arrest, evading police officers and possession of a controlled substance.
Dutra was arrested in Arroyo Grande in January 2014 on suspicion of commercial burglary after police received a report of a person breaking into parked vehicles in the 100 block of Poole Street. Officers allegedly found items on Dutra recently stolen from a nearby Chevrolet dealership.
A month later, police announced that Dutra and a female companion were linked to a burglary ring that officials said at the time stretched to Los Angeles County. Investigators at the time were attempting to reunite the items with their rightful owners.
Dutra pleaded no contest to a burglary charge in that case and was sentenced to two years in state prison before being released back to San Luis Obispo County Jail.
As of Friday afternoon, Dutra remained in custody at San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. A court hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
