Shots Reported at Dry Creek Apartments Leads to High-Speed Chase and Two Arrest

PASO ROBLES – Paso Robles Police Department reported that last night, around 8:20 p.m., dispatchers received a call regarding shots heard at the Dry Creek Apartment complex. A second caller reported a male bashed the windows of a vehicle with a baseball bat before fleeing in a PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser was spotted by a PRPD officer who initiated a felony traffic stop in the 100 Block of Santa Ynez.

A passenger, 29-year-old Ricardo Lopez, of Paso Robles, was detained and found to be in possession of a loaded handgun. The driver, 24-year-old Austin Beausoleil, of Paso Robles, refused commands and continued to inch forward in his vehicle.

At this time, another subject ran up on officers and tried to interfere. PRPD’s, canine Renzo, kept him at bay. At that time, Beausoleil’s mother exited the vehicle and joined in the commotion, while Beausoleil continued to refuse orders.

Then Beausolieil fled, speeding away, officers gave chase into the Rosemary neighborhood (no outlets). Beausoleil was trapped, and two marked units had to swerve out of the way to avoid collisions with the PT Cruiser.

Beausoleil then collided head-on with the detective unit. The PT Cruiser cornered, and Beausoliel was taken into custody.

Further investigation at the Dry Creek Apartment complex revealed a car’s windows had been smashed with a baseball bat, which generated the original call for service. We believe this incident stemmed from a fight Beausoliel was involved in the day prior.

Lopez was arrested and later released on a citation for carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Beausoleil was arrested and booked at the SLO County Jail for felony evading, assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and felony vandalism.