KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
An RV pursuit suspect, who led authorities on a high-speed chase that started in Santa Clarita in May, returned to court Friday.
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Stephen Merle 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.
On May 1, Houk and his spouse allegedly got into a fight in the family’s RV while parked in Malibu, according to law enforcement officials.
Houk is accused of pointing a loaded firearm at his wife and threatening to kill her.
The two children, ages 3 and 1, were awakened by the commotion, said a prosecutor with the District Attorney’s office.
Houk then allegedly drove away without his wife and stopped at a gas station.
His wife eventually asked for help from a passerby, who called authorities, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Houk allegedly fled when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded and a pursuit ensued going through several different law enforcement jurisdictions.
Houk then allegedly fled from the RV after stopping near Bakersfield, the prosecutor said.
The suspect was later found in Barstow, where he was taken into custody. Bail was set at $1 million.
Houk is scheduled to return to court for an arraignment on Sept 25.
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