The RV pursuit suspect who led authorities on a high speed chase that started in Santa Clarita returned to court for a preliminary hearing Monday after being charged with several felony counts.

On May 1, Stephen Merle Houk lead authorities on a chase in a RV through multiple law enforcement jurisdictions, starting in Santa Clarita, after a domestic disturbance incident where Houk allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at his wife and threatened to kill her, according to law enforcement officials.

Their two children, ages 3 and 1, were awakened by the commotion, said a prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.  

Houk then allegedly drove away and stopped at a gas station, where his wife asked for help from a passerby, who called authorities, according to the District Attorney’s Office.  

Houk fled when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded and a pursuit ensued going through several different law enforcement jurisdictions.

The pursuit ended in the Bakersfield area, where Houk managed to flee from the RV. The two children in the RV were found unharmed. Houk was later found in Barstow, Nevada, hiding in a rail car.

Houk was charged with two counts of kidnapping, child abuse, injuring a spouse and child detention, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Houk was also charged with one count each of assault with a firearm, criminal threats, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon, fugitive from justice and transient violation of registration, a misdemeanor.

Courthouse officials confirmed Houk’s case was heard Monday, but that it was continued to Aug. 8.

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