Full Notification

On June 19, 2015, at 12:07 AM, deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office Wasco Substation were dispatched to a report of a male who brandished a handgun at a female in the area of Poso Drive and D Street. The suspect was reported to have fled the area on a bicycle. Deputies circulated the area and located Epifanio Soto matching the suspect description in the area of Poso Drive and F Street.

Soto fled from deputies on a bicycle before he began running through the yards of several residences in the 1600 block of F Street. Deputies lost sight of Soto and established a perimeter while the KCSO Air Support unit and a KCSO K9 unit responded to the area. A loaded handgun was located in the area Soto abandoned his bicycle.

With the assistance of the air support and K9 units, Soto was located hiding in a carport in the 1600 block of F Street and was arrested. Through further investigation, deputies confirmed Soto was the suspect involved in the brandishing of the firearm. The loaded firearm was found to be stolen and was also confirmed as the weapon used during the offense.

Soto was booked into jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, brandishing a firearm, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of stolen property, and gang participation. Soto was also arrested for an outstanding felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and gang participation. Soto's bail is set at $107,500.00