Authorities Focus On Sonoma County In Search For Missing Vallejo Teen
VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- Authorities said Friday that they are focusing on the Sonoma County coast for Pearl Pinson, a Vallejo teen who was kidnapped on Wednesday.
Based on evidence in the investigation, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said they would coordinate with Sonoma County authorities to conduct a search near Willow Creek Road in the town of Jenner as they continue to search for the 15-year-old.
Earlier on Friday, the Santa Barbara County coroner's office confirmed that abduction suspect Fernando Castro, 19, of Vallejo was the man who was killed in a shooting with deputies in Santa Barbara County Thursday.
Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials said there is no indication Pinson is in their county.
Authorities have been searching for Pinson between Santa Barbara and Solano counties, a stretch of more than 300 miles.
Castro was suspected of assaulting and abducting Pinson around 7 a.m. Wednesday and leaving in a gold 1997 Saturn.
A witness reported seeing a man with a gun pulling a female, who was bleeding and yelling for help, on the over-crossing of Interstate Highway 780 in the area of Home Acres and Taylor avenues in Vallejo.
Deputies found Pinson's cellphone in the over-crossing area, which led to her identity as the abduction victim, Castillo said.
The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert Thursday afternoon.
Solano County sheriff's officials said the Saturn was spotted in San Luis Obispo County and the suspect fled, leading to a pursuit that ended in the Los Alamos area of Santa Barbara County.
Castro drove into a residential area, got out of the car and ran into a nearby mobile home. A woman was inside at the time but was able to run to safety, sheriff's officials said.
Castro then stole a truck and soon afterward fired at law enforcement officers, who returned fire and killed him.
Surveillance cameras captured the Saturn in the area of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in Marin County around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Solano County sheriff's officials said.
Pinson, a student at Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, and Castro knew each other but authorities do not believe Pinson willingly went with Castro.
Rose Pinson, the missing girl's older sister, said she had heard Castro's name but had never met him and described him as an acquaintance, according to the Vallejo Times-Herald.
"Everyone is looking for Pearl. We aren't doing so good," Rose Pinson said at a vigil Thursday. "She's always happy, she loves to laugh, loves to ride her long skateboard."
Pinson is white, 5 feet 3 inches with brown hair dyed green and green eyes. She has a metallic piercing below her left lower lip and was last seen wearing a gray sweater and black leggings.
TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
