Police call off search for suspect reportedly armed with an AR-15 at Motel 6 in Atascadero
Update, 10 a.m. Monday: Police called off a search for a suspect they believed was armed with a rifle after an extensive investigation was unsuccessful.
Original story:
Police are searching for a suspect who is apparently armed with an AR-15 rifle at the Motel 6 in Atascadero, according to scanner traffic.
At about 11:15 p.m., an Atascadero police officer was pursuing a vehicle when it crashed at the intersection of El Camino Real and Santa Rosa Road and a man fled the scene holding an AR-15.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his 20s wearing a gray shirt, blue jeans and red shoes.
He apparently ran to the Motel 6, where a witness last reported seeing him on the second floor.
Police closed the exits and entrances to Highway 101 at Santa Rosa Road, near the location of the motel, while they searched for the suspect. A helicopter was also dispatched to help with the search.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
The article was updated to clarify that the pursuing officer was from Atascadero Police Department, not the California Highway Patrol, and the location of the crash.
This story was originally published July 19, 2020 at 11:53 PM.
