UPDATE: The San Luis Obispo Police Department originally reported that Hart had escaped from a correctional facility in Washington state; however, corrections officials in Washington say he was released from prison in 2021 and in 2023 failed to check in with his probation officer, so a warrant was issued for his arrest. SLOPD has issued a correction.
A man who was wanted in Washington state for skipping out on his probation was arrested in San Luis Obispo last week.
Police say they originally made contact with Ronald James Hart, 40, in November when they came across a vehicle parked in a disabled space at the Conserv Fuel gas station on Santa Rosa St. At the time, they say he gave officers multiple fake names and they cited him for misdemeanor providing false identification to a peace officer.
Officers reportedly made contact with Hart again on December 11 in the 700 block of Foothill. Police say he again gave officers several fake names and this time was arrested on a charge of felony false impersonation.
At this time, officers were able to positively identify him as Hart. Officials with the Washington State Department of Corrections say Hart, who was released from prison in December 2021, failed to check in with his probation officer in late 2023 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail and police say he will be extradited to Washington.
