William Matthew Garner

****UPDATE**** – 11/17/2011 – 3:05 P.M. – Just minutes after the posting of the message outlined below, suspect Garner was apprehended by the Los Angeles Police Department. Santa Clarita Detectives are en-route to Van Nuys to pick him up. There is no further information available at this time. ******

Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are seeking public assistance in locating William Matthew Garner, male Hispanic, 5’07” tall, 120 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes, age 18, D.O.B. – 05/30/1993. Last known address 28367 Sand Canyon Road #9, Canyon Country, Ca.

Garner is wanted in connection with an incident of assault with a deadly weapon which occurred on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. in Canyon Country.

On that date, deputies from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station responded to a call in the 28300 block of Sand Canyon Road, Canyon Country. Deputies learned that suspect Garner and another male suspect, Steve Romero, MH/21, had reportedly confronted two men. One of the suspects was holding a baseball bat and threatened the two victims while chasing them and swinging the bat at them. At some point during the incident, one of the suspects armed himself with a handgun and fired shots into the air. The suspect then pointed the handgun at the victims.

People in the area took notice of the incident and the suspects fled on foot. Responding deputies located and arrested suspect Steve Romero nearby, but Garner avoided arrest. Romero is being held in lieu of $195,000 bail and is due in court November 28th. Suspect Garner is being sought on a $195,000 warrant for assault with a deadly weapon (WARRANT#: LASPA07185302). The incident appears to be gang related.

Deputies are continuing their investigation and the search for Garner whose current whereabouts are unknown. Garner may frequent the area of his last known residence and should be considered armed and dangerous. The handgun used in the incident has not yet been recovered. If you spot Garner call 9-1-1. Do not confront him.

Anyone with information regarding this crime or the person pictured here is asked to call Detective Barretto of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-799-5134. For completely anonymous tips please call Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org.