Barstow police arrest fugitive caught hiding after he falls through ceiling

BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A 22-year-old wanted fugitive was arrested by Barstow Police after he fell through the ceiling of the attic he was hiding in, officials said.

It happened on February 19, 2020, at about 2:00 pm in the 1200 block of Windy Pass in Barstow.

Detective Arias recognized the suspect, Keith Lamont Smith, a resident of Barstow and knew he was wanted for two outstanding felony arrests warrants.

Smith saw the detective and ran into an apartment and then out the back door, officials said.

“An officer attempted to arrest Smith as he ran out of the back of the apartment, however; Smith assaulted the officer and fled to an apartment complex in the 700 block of Karen Court where officers lost sight of him,” stated a news release.

A perimeter was established around the complex and officers conducted a search for Smith at each apartment and eventually found him hiding in one of them.

Smith had climbed into the attic of the apartment to hide from the officers. As the officers ordered Smith out, he fell through the attic right in front of the officers.

Smith was apprehended without further incident and was booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Barstow Jail for PC 69 – Resisting an Executive Officer, PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Warrant) and PC 1551.1 – Wanted Fugitive (Warrant).

According to public arrest records, he is scheduled for arraignment on February 21, 2020, in a Victorville courtroom.

Smith is being held without bail and is a wanted fugitive out of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department.