Authorities say a bizarre chase involving a stolen fire department pickup truck which started in Monterey County ended in Santa Barbara County, with the arrest of a man. T
he truck was spotted around noon today in Los Alamos. The driver headed towards Vandenberg Air Force Base on Highway 135, with speeds approaching 100 miles an hour at times.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies were able to block the truck when the driver tried to make a U-turn near the base.
Donald Schellinger got out of the CAL FIRE pickup truck and surrendered. Law enforcement officers are still trying to unravel what led to the episode. They say the 38 year old transient was arrested on charges ranging from vehicle theft to parole violation. No one was hurt in the case.
