Executive Summary
- Stephen Robles and Leanne Varao were arrested after a two-day manhunt in Siskiyou County.
- Suspects allegedly fired a shotgun at a patrol car during a pursuit on Highway 89.
- Robles was on parole for second-degree murder at the time of the incident.
- A shelter-in-place order was issued for McCloud residents during the search.
- No injuries were reported during the pursuit or subsequent arrests.
Two individuals have been taken into custody in Siskiyou County, California, following a two-day manhunt that began with a high-speed pursuit and shots fired at law enforcement officers. The incident, which prompted a shelter-in-place order for residents in the McCloud area, concluded with the arrests of Stephen Robles, 36, and Leanne Varao, 35, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue, the sequence of events began at approximately 6:15 a.m. on December 9, when deputies observed a blue Ford Ranger idling near the intersection of Upland Road and Eddy Drive, just outside Mount Shasta. The sheriff reported that two individuals were found passed out inside the vehicle, which appeared to be loaded with stolen property. Upon waking, the occupants identified themselves as Robles and Varao. A subsequent background check revealed that Robles, who was in the driver’s seat, did not hold a valid license and was on parole for second-degree murder, as well as probation for assault with a deadly weapon.
The situation escalated when Robles allegedly drove away abruptly, initiating a pursuit that extended onto Highway 89 and into McCloud. During the chase, deputies reported seeing the muzzle of a shotgun in the rear window of the truck. According to the sheriff’s report, at least two shots struck the pursuing patrol car. Authorities stated that the suspects fired three additional shots toward law enforcement at various locations, including Mount Shasta Boulevard and Broadway Avenue.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Sage Milestone confirmed that the suspects abandoned the truck on Broadway Avenue, leading to a massive search involving the Sheriff’s Special Response Team, a K9 unit, drone operators, and the California Highway Patrol. Residents were advised to stay indoors while the search was underway. Robles was located on the evening of December 9 hiding in a two-story garage on Minnesota Avenue after being spotted by a drone; he surrendered peacefully. Varao was apprehended the following afternoon, December 10, after investigators received a tip regarding her location in a separate residence on Minnesota Avenue.
Public Safety and Legal Implications
The resolution of this standoff without physical injury to officers or civilians marks a critical success for local law enforcement, particularly given the allegations of active gunfire directed at deputies. The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with routine interactions involving individuals with violent criminal histories, as Robles was reportedly on parole for a prior homicide conviction. As the case moves to the judicial phase, prosecutors will likely focus on the attempted murder charges and the parole violations. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
