Oregon Sex Offender Wanted In California: Police

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — Law enforcement officials in California are actively searching for a registered sex offender from Oregon who reportedly led police on a chase from Los Angeles to Bakersfield in a motorhome Tuesday.

Officers with the California Highway Patrol on Tuesday chased Stephen Merle Houk, 46, through the San Fernando Valley after Houk fled from officers trying to pull him over in Santa Clarita. Along for the ride in the motorhome were Houk's two young children and a dog, officials said.

Wanted initially on suspicion of domestic violence, Houk's activities Tuesday also earned him potential charges for evading, child abduction, child endangerment and weapons violations.

Houk eventually abandoned the motorhome, his kids and the dog in a Kern County almond orchard, taking off on foot and so far eluding capture. The children, ages 3 and 11 months, were found safe and reunited with their mother after an hours-long search for Houk, officials said; the dog is also safe.

It's apparently possible Houk may return to Oregon. Anyone who has information on Houk's whereabouts is encouraged to call California Highway Patrol at 661-396-6600, the sheriff's Santa Clarita Station at 661-255-1121, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, officials said, adding that anyone who believes they spot Houk should dial 911.

Houk is described as white, 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen sporting a beard and glasses, and he has a tattoo of a cow skull and horns on his left arm.

Houk, formerly of Keizer, was convicted in 2002 on sodomy charges out of Lincoln County — a crime for which he was sentenced to more than 8 years in prison.

Images via California Highway Patrol

Paige Austin, Patch, and City News Service contributed to this story