Amber Alert Remains In Effect For 15-year-old Pearl Pinson

UPDATE 5AM FRIDAY-

SOLANO COUNTY - An Amber Alert remains in effect Friday for 15-year-old Pearl Pinson.

Solano County Sheriff's officials say they have received many tips regarding her whereabouts and are following up on leads.

Authorities announced Thursday night the Saturn vehicle that suspect Fernando Castro was driving was seen on surveillance cameras in Marin County in the area of Sir Frances Drake Blvd near the San Rafael Bridge around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Deputies are in the Marin County area gathering information, according to the Department.

Solano County sheriff's officials urge the community to continue calling in any information in this case to their dedicated Pearl Pinson tip-line at 707-784-1963.

Yesterday, according to authorities, a vehicle Pinson's suspected abductor was allegedly driving was spotted in San Luis Obispo County, where the California Highway Patrol and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies chased the vehicle into Santa Barbara County.

Solano County authorities say there was a shootout between deputies and the suspect.

At one point, deputies say Castro drove into a residential area, got out of the car, and ran into a nearby mobile home.

Authorities say a woman was inside that home at the time, but was able to run out safely. Deputies say the suspect stole a truck from her house and resumed the gunfire battle.

Solano County officials say officers on scene responded, killing the suspect. Officials believe the shooting suspect is Fernando Castro.

Solano County sheriff's officials urge the community to continue calling in any information in this case to their dedicated Pearl Pinson tip-line at 707-784-1963.

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UPDATE 7:30PM-

The Solano County Sheriff is confirming the likely death of the suspect in the disappearance of 15-year-old Pearl Pinson.

Solano County Sheriff Thomas Ferrara is quoted as saying, "The suspect is dead, and at this point we believe the suspect is probably Fernando Castro," according to Bay City News.

"At this point Pearl Pinson was not found," Ferrara said. "We continue to look for her and we are very worried about her safety."

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UPDATE 4:55PM-

KEYT-TV/ Santa Barbara reporter John Palmintari is tweeting that the Amber Alert suspect has been shot and killed in a shootout with police in Solvang, but that missing 15-year-old Pearl Pinson, allegedly abducted in the Vallejo area, was not in the car with the suspect.

KEYT reports the suspect was pinned down at a mobile home park in the Solvang area by officers, and a shootout occurred.
At 3:42 p.m., the station reports residents were told to shelter in place.

At 4:01 p.m. the station reported "the suspect reportedly climbed inside a pickup truck and is trying to flee from police. Shots have once again been fired."

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UPDATE 4:30 P.M.: Sheriff's officials now say the shootout happened in Los Alamos, which is in Santa Barbara County.

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UPDATE 3:50 P.M.: A vehicle connected to the abduction of a 15-year-old Solano County girl has been found in San Luis Obispo, officials report.

The Solano County Sheriff's Office tweeted at 3:51 p.m. that the suspect car-- a gold 1997 Saturn four-door sedan-- was spotted all the way down in San Luis Obispo County, which is located more than 300 miles from where Pearl Pinson was last seen.

The agency also says the suspect was involved in a pursuit and possible shoot out in that area.

At this time, the girl is still missing, the agency says.

Patch will continue to update this breaking news story as more information becomes available. Refresh for the latest.

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ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

SOLANO COUNTY - Solano County investigators have issued an Amber Alert and identified a vehicle of interest associated with a suspect wanted in the disappearance of a missing 15-year-old girl in Vallejo.

Pearl Pinson went missing yesterday morning in the area of Home Acres and Taylor Ave, at the I-780 pedestrian over-crossing, after she was reportedly seen stained with blood as she was dragged by the suspect in the case, 19-year old Fernando Castro.

A witness reported seeing a Hispanic man with a gun allegedly pulling a white female, who was bleeding and yelling for help, on the over-crossing, according to Solano County Deputy Christine Castillo.

The witness claimed he heard a gunshot while running for help. Deputies found blood on the ground, Castillo said.

Solano County investigators say they are actively looking for a gold 1997 Saturn four-door with California license plate of 5XZD385.

An Amber Alert has been issued.

Solano County authorities say they believe she and Castro are acquaintances, and this was not a stranger abduction. Investigators say they also do not believe Pinson went willingly with Castro.

The search for Pinson has gone on overnight, according to authorities. Assistance from the Solano County Search and Rescue Team will be used.

The Sheriff's Office says a tip line has been established for the community to report information they may have in this investigation of the disappearance of Pearl Pinson.

The tip line is 707-784-1963.

If you have URGENT information please call the Solano County Dispatch Center at 707-421-7090 or dial 9-1-1.

Also on Patch: Solano Deputies Seek Missing 15-Year-Old Girl, Suspect Who May Have Shot Her

-images via Solano County Sheriff's Office