The children allegedly kidnapped by suspect Stephen Houk were located unharmed inside the pursuit vehicle shortly after the pursuit came to an end in Bakersfield on Tuesday at approximately 6 p.m., Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station detectives reported early Wednesday morning.
Both children have since been reunited with their mother, and the suspect, believed to be armed and dangerous, remained at large as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The dog seen in video footage during the pursuit, which included a stretch of northbound Interstate 5 through the SCV a few hours earlier, was also located safe inside the vehicle.
California Highway Patrol advises the pursuit of Stephen Houk that led law enforcement from Los Angeles to Bakersfield ended at an orchard on Merced Avenue and Zerker Road in Bakersfield.
A containment was established and a search of the orchard began.
Photo: KTLA Channel 5
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 p.m. Tuesday.
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.
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.
Houk is also wanted out of Santa Carita for assault with a deadly weapon, child abduction, terrorist threats and evading.
LASD Major Crimes Bureau detectives attempted to detain Houk, believed to be armed and wanted for evading, child abduction, child endangerment and weapons violations, on Tuesday.
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.
Detectives initiated a vehicle pursuit at approximately 2:30 p.m. 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 3-year-old boy kidnapped Tuesday after authorities found him and his sister safe in Bakersfield.
The 11-month-old girl kidnapped Tuesday with a deputy after authorities found her and her brother safe in Bakersfield.
The LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau and law enforcement in Bakersfield will follow up on any leads and tips from the public as to Houk’s whereabouts.
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 from Google Play or the Apple app store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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4 Comments
Thanks for the update on the dog, LOL. You know a lot of people were worried about that too!
I hear this guy snuck out of the motorhome as it was surrounded! Did he use a hatch to get under the motorhome and escape that way?
No way is he the “alleged” kidnapper – he did it period!
Houk was driving the vehicle. “Kidnapped” has yet to be proven. Hence “alleged”.
Why would any woman have a guy like this – a previous sex offender and now a kidnapper – father their child?