Deputies Arrest Suspect Wanted For Kidnapping, Attempted Murder Of Placerville Man

EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) - A man wanted in connection with a kidnapping and attempted murder was arrested Tuesday after El Dorado County sheriff's deputies chased him for 23 minutes over 16 miles.

Dustin James Woodruff, 27, is suspected of shooting and beating Bryan Santana, 35, of Placerville on July 2.

Marshall Hospital personnel reported Santana's medical condition to the sheriff's office when Santana showed up at the emergency room requesting treatment for a motorcycle accident.

Hospital personnel noticed that the injuries were not consistent with a motorcycle accident and believed Santana had been shot. The sheriff's office was notified and deputies contacted Santana at the hospital. He eventually admitted to being shot but said he did not know who shot him or how it occurred.

Santana survived his injuries.

After further investigation, Woodruff was identified as the suspect in the kidnapping and shooting of Santana, along with multiple property crimes around the county.

Woodruff was spotted Tuesday just after 2:30 p.m. driving a stolen Meeks Lumber truck on Highway 16.
Woodruff ignored demands to pull over and deputies utilized a spike strip to flatten the tires of the truck, but Woodruff continued driving with the damaged tires.

After driving over the spike strip, Woodruff lost control of the truck a few miles down the road. It hit an embankment, causing the truck to roll over. Woodruff attempted to run from the approaching deputies but was captured within a short distance.

Woodruff was arrested on attempted murder, kidnapping and multiple property crimes.