On Monday, December 22, members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s SWAT team arrested 24-year-old Steven Wasson of Selma.
This was the result of a standoff which lasted approximately four hours. Wasson had an active warrant for attempted murder, related to a shooting which occurred on Dec. 17 in Hanford. Given the nature of this crime, Wasson was considered to be armed and dangerous.
Around 2:30 pm, investigators with Hanford Police and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office saw Wasson at a gas station in Laton, near the intersection of Mt. Whitney and Elm Ave. Officers attempted to make a traffic stop on the suspect, but he fled at a high rate of speed.
Officers lost sight of Wasson when he drove into an orchard near Cedar/Elkhorn. About ten minutes later, Wasson’s car was found abandoned near the railroad tracks at Mountain View and Chestnut Ave. Witnesses reported seeing Wasson run toward a home on the 13000 block of S. Willow Ave., just north of Kamm Ave. in Selma.
Fresno Sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, Hanford Police officers and members of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office established a large perimeter to secure the area. The Sheriff’s helicopter, Eagle One, assisted ground patrol units from the sky.
Witnesses stated that the suspect may be hiding inside a small travel trailer parked next to the house. Deputies contacted the woman living at the home where Wasson was suspected of hiding and safely escorted her out. Neighbors were advised to stay inside their homes and lock their doors. Residents returning home were kept on surrounding streets as a safety precaution.
Around 5:00 pm, the Sheriff’s SWAT team arrived on scene. Members put together a strategy and used equipment to move onto the property. A search was conducted, however, Wasson was not found. At approximately 9:15 pm, Wasson was discovered to be hiding in a trash dumpster located outside of the home. Deputies took him into custody without incident. Around 10:30 pm, S. Willow Ave. was reopened to motorists wishing to return to their homes.
Wasson was turned over to detectives with the Hanford Police Department to be interviewed. The car Wasson was driving was also transported to Hanford Police for processing. This is an ongoing investigation and any further requests, including a jail booking photo, should be directed to the Hanford Police Department.
Anyone with information on other possible crimes Wasson may be tied to is asked to report it immediately. Call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).