Jun
23
NARCOTIC SWEEP TARGETS DEALERS–Joint Police and Sheriff Operation
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SANTA BARBARA, CA - June 19th, 2009. This morning at 6:00 a.m. a joint operation by the Santa Barbara Police and Sheriff?s Departments targeted organized narcotic trafficking in our community. Today’s operation involved 120 police personnel including members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Law Enforcement teams conducted simultaneous search and arrest warrants operations at 11 locations: 8 in Santa Barbara and 3 in Goleta. 22 people have been arrested for charges that are primarily drug related. The arrestees include men and women, adults and juveniles. Detectives seized significant amounts of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Today?s operation is part of an on-going narcotic trafficking investigation. Due to credible information of weapons and possible armed resistance, SWAT personnel assisted at selected locations. There were no injuries to officers or to suspects. The operation is on-going; more information will be released when available.
May
7
SANTA BARBARA, CA — On 05/04/09, at approximately 1:28 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Aurora Avenue on a shots fired call. Neighbors called the police department stating that 5 to 6 shots and glass breaking was heard from 621 Aurora Avenue. When officers arrived they noticed a broken window on the second floor of the home. Cell phone numbers of the residents at 621 Aurora Avenue were obtained by police. Several calls were made to the residents with no answer. The SWAT team was called and responded to the scene. Entry was made into the home and officers discovered two victims who were deceased due to gunshot wounds. The motive of the shooting is still being investigated by detectives. The identity of the victims is not being released due to an ongoing investigation.
UPDATE:
The victims have been identified as Daniel Patrick Lyons, age 55, and Barbara Lorene Scharton, age 48. Arrested suspect Corey John Lyons is the brother of Daniel Lyons.
May
7
SANTA BARBARA, CA — On 05/04/09, at approximately 1:28 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Aurora Avenue on a shots fired call. Neighbors called the police department stating that 5 to 6 shots and glass breaking was heard from 621 Aurora Avenue. When officers arrived they noticed a broken window on the second floor of the home. Cell phone numbers of the residents at 621 Aurora Avenue were obtained by police. Several calls were made to the residents with no answer. The SWAT team was called and responded to the scene. Entry was made into the home and officers discovered two victims who were deceased due to gunshot wounds. The motive of the shooting is still being investigated by detectives. The identity of the victims is not being released due to an ongoing investigation.
UPDATE:
On 05/04/09, at approximately 9:00 a.m., police arrested Corey John Lyons, age 50, in connection with the homicide that occurred at 621 Aurora Avenue. The identities of the victims are not being released at this time due to an ongoing investigation and pending notification of next of kin.
May
7
SANTA BARBARA, CA — On 4-27-09 at approximately 11:50 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of W. Haley Street and contacted the 34 year old male victim of an extortion. The victim told officers he had just escaped from several subjects who had held him captive in a back room of the “Sacred Mountain” medical marijuana dispensary located at 27 Parker Way. The victim explained that he is part owner of the business and his partner, later identified as Tharon Weighill, age 45, accused him of stealing over $400,000 from the business. Weighill arranged to have two individuals forcefully hold the victim in a back room of the dispensary and sign over his share of the business. The victim was held at knife point and was threatened with bodily harm. The victim signed a make shift release for his part of the business, was stripped of his keys, cell phone and $800. The keys were used by the suspects to gain access into the victim’s vehicle where an unknown amount of marijuana was taken. The victim escaped out of the business when he had the opportunity to do so.
Officers next responded to the “Sacred Mountain” business and contacted several subjects. All claimed to be employees or business associates of the dispensary. Scott Weighill, age 43, who works as security for the business was identified as the suspect who held the door closed and kept watch as the victim was being threatened. He was arrested and booked for conspiracy, extortion, false imprisonment and robbery. Tharon Weighill who coordinated the event was arrested and booked for conspiracy, extortion, false imprisonment and robbery. Other suspects are still outstanding.
Paul Garcia, age 36, was also at the business but was not identified as being involved in the crimes being investigated. A records check of Garcia revealed that he was on probation for drug charges and to have a warrant for his arrest. Garcia was arrested and booked for the warrant. The investigation is on-going.
May
7
SUBJECT ARRESTED FOR LOTTERY SCAM
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SANTA BARBARA, CA — On 04/06/09 police responded to the 200 block of North Soledad Street on a call of a theft investigation. Upon arrival officers were informed by the 55 year old victim that she had been tricked out of approximately $12,000 by two individuals who claimed to have a winning lottery ticket. The individuals told her that they couldn?t cash in the ticket because the ticket holder was not in the United States legally. If she assisted them, they would compensate her for her trouble but only after giving them a deposit.
On 04/27/09, at approximately 9:00 a.m., one of the officers that had been involved in the investigation on 04/06/09 was patrolling the area of 900 block of East Montecito Street. As he was pulling into the Scolari?s parking lot, he noticed a Hispanic male adult speaking with an elderly female. It appeared as though the female was pointing towards Milpas Street in an attempt to give directions. The officer felt that the Hispanic male fit the general description of one of the suspects involved in the incident on 04/06/09. He continued to observe as the elderly female attempted to end the conversation several times and go into the store. Each time, the Hispanic male appeared to ask more questions. The Hispanic male noticed the police car and terminated the conversation with the elderly female. The officer continued to watch the Hispanic male as he used a payphone nearby and then was picked up by a second Hispanic male driving a vehicle.
The officer followed the vehicle and noticed that it was displaying expired registration. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on the 200 block of North Milpas Street. The officer contacted the driver who identified himself with a Mexican Driver License as Raul Gonzalo Santana, age 44. Both subjects stated that they were tourists and were staying in a hotel in the Los Angeles area. Other officers arrived to assist. As the investigation continued, officers found Lotto tickets and money in the vehicle. Santana was arrested for being an unlicensed driver and was transported to the station. Once at the station, a fingerprint check was conducted on Santana and it revealed that he was wanted on theft charges out of New York under a different name. The passenger was interviewed and released at the traffic stop location. The victim of the theft that occurred on 04/06/09 was located and identified Santana as one of the subjects involved in the theft of her $12,000.
Santana was booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for Grand Theft and Unlicensed Driver. The police are continuing the investigation and asking that anyone who has been a victim of a Lottery scam or similar trickery to call the Santa Barbara Police Department Investigative Division at 897-2335.
May
7
SANTA BARBARA, CA — On 04/03/09 at approximately 3:00 p.m., officers responded to a large crowd of suspected gang member gathering at the Franklin Center, 1136 East Montecito Street. Upon arrival officers estimated that approximately 20 suspected gang members or associates were present around the Franklin Center. Officers told the crowd to disperse and some did. The remaining individuals dispersed into smaller groups and remained in the vicinity of the Franklin Center.
In the meantime, other officers contacted the reporting party at the Franklin Center. Officers were told that possible rival gang members were brought to the Franklin Center to seek treatment. The suspected gang members outside became aware of this and began looking through the windows of the center to verify who was inside. Hand signs and gestures were exchanged between the individuals outside and inside the center. The subjects outside began to position themselves at the entrances and the exits to the clinic. Clinic personnel closed the blinds and locked all the doors to the facility and called the police. Police made arrangements to escort those suspected gang members inside of the facility out to their vehicle. Police informed them not to say or do anything while being escorted to their car. Officers escorted them to their car and watched them drive away.
Officers were in the process of dispersing those remaining in the area of the Franklin Center. One officer observed a suspected gang member taking photos of the officers. The officer then began to take photos with his cell phone. One of the subjects in the group, later identified as Saul Antonio Cruz, 19 years of age, saw the officer taking pictures. Cruz reached for the officer?s phone, grabbed it, and attempted to take the cell phone from the officer. Cruz was taken into custody and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for Attempt Robbery, Resisting /Delaying an Officer, Battery on a Peace Officer, and Participation in a Criminal Street Gang. Another officer was in the process of telling people to leave the area when he noticed an individual that wasn?t complying. The officer approached the 16 year old male juvenile and again instructed him to leave the area. The juvenile then pushed out his chest, stepped forward, and pushed his weight towards the officer ?bumping? the officer. The 16 year old juvenile was taken into custody and booked at Juvenile Hall for Battery on a Peace Officer.
Other officers noticed a group of five individuals walking away from the area. Officers were aware that these individuals had been part of the crowd outside of the Franklin Center. Officers yelled at the group to stop but they continued walking away. One in the group said, “I can’t hear you.” Officers yelled a second time and the subjects, now approximately a block away, refused to stop. Officers ran to their location and ordered the group to stop and sit down–all but two complied. One of the individuals, later identified as Joaquin Perez, age 18, had to be physically taken to the ground and arrested. Perez was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for Resisting/Delaying an Officer. The second subject, a 15 year old male juvenile, was also taken to the ground and arrested after failing to comply with additional orders to stop and challenging an officer to fight. The 15 year old was released to the care of his mother. Officers recommended that Juvenile Probation file a petition against the juvenile for Resisting/Delaying an Officer and Challenging to Fight.
Initially 3 officers were sent to the call and a total of 8 officers responded to deal with the incident. There were no officer injuries reported. The police department would like to commend the actions of the Franklin Center personnel. Their actions in locking down the facility and promptly calling the police contributed to the protection of all patients inside of the clinic.
May
7
SANTA BARBARA, CA — On 3/22/09 at approximately 2:40 a.m., David and James Allison were inside Jack in the Box at 501 N. Milpas Street when they made a derogatory comment to a person that had just walked into the restaurant. When the person responded to the comment, David and James ran after the victim as he exited Jack in the Box and began assaulting him. Several friends and relatives of the 27 year old male victim came to the aid of the victim. After several minutes of fighting, David and James left in their vehicle. People in the lot heard the suspects say that they were going to get their gun. As David and James Allison were leaving, their truck struck one of the vehicles in the parking lot. Officers were called and responded into the area.
Minutes later the suspect truck quickly entered the area of Jack in the Box just before officers arrived on the scene. The witnesses who had called the police immediately fled upon seeing the truck. One of them ran towards the officers and told them that there was a subject with a gun. At this time, the passenger, James Allison, is observed running into the restaurant. The driver, David Allison, then stepped out into the parking lot and fired several rounds from a pump action shotgun at various people and returned to the vehicle. James then exited the restaurant and returned back to the vehicle.
Officers broadcasted the information and see the truck as it leaves from an adjacent lot towards Bond Ave. An officer arriving on scene sees the vehicle heading towards him on Bond Avenue. He exits his car, draws his side arm, has barely enough time to leap onto the trunk of his car as the suspect?s vehicle strikes the patrol car. The suspects then flee southbound on Milpas Street. The collision caused the door of the patrol vehicle to strike the officer on the arm causing minor injury.
The vehicle flees at a high rate of speed and eventually goes out of control flipping on to its side at the round-a-bout at Milpas Street pinning both David and James Allison in the vehicle. Prior to the collision, officers see the driver of the vehicle throw the shotgun out the window. Officers arrive at the round-a-bout and standby as both suspects are extricated by the fire department.
David was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. He was treated for a severe injury to his right arm and released. David Allison, age 31, from Santa Barbara, was booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for Attempt Homicide, Assault with a Deadly Weapon on an Officer, Shooting at an Occupied Motor Vehicle, Felon in possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy, Terrorist Threats, and Felony DUI. James Allison, age 30, from Santa Barbara, was booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for Attempt Homicide, Felon in possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy, and Terrorist Threats. Detectives handled the case and determined that the incident was not a gang motivated assault.
Feb
25
Homicide Update–Six Arrested and Booked
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Santa Barbara Police Department detectives worked late into the last few nights following up on all possible leads on this homicide investigation. As the investigation continued, it appeared as though some of the arrested knew the victim and conspired to assault him. Several search and arrest warrants were served in different locations within the city limits. As a result of this investigation, the following individuals were arrested for murder and conspiracy to commit murder:
Michele Murillo Flores (age 30)
Imelda Nava Guevara (age 30)
Lilliana Arrayga (age 18)
Andrew Balderaz (age 35)
Jonathon Alonzo (age 20)
David Anthony Martinez (21) was arrested today (02/24/09) at approximately 10:54 am
All of the arrested reside in Santa Barbara. The investigation also revealed that all of the arrested are involved or associated with a local criminal street gang. Although none arrested were booked for participation in a criminal street gang, detectives are asking the District Attorney?s Office to review the investigation and consider filing criminal street gang enhancement charges based on the conspiracy aspect of this case. Investigators were able to determine that the victim had only lived on the 400 block of De La Vina Street for two days. The victim has been identified as Baldemar Leal, age 22. Leal has resided in the Santa Barbara area for approximately nine years. There is no indication that Leal was involved in criminal street gang activity.
Feb
23
Three Arrested for Murder
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SANTA BARBARA, CA - On 02/22/09 at approximately 6:52 am, a resident of the area called police to report an individual lying on the ground and unresponsive in the 400 block of De La Vina Street. Police and medic personnel responded. Medics pronounced the individual dead on scene from multiple stab wounds to his upper torso. The victim is a 22 year old Hispanic male. His name is not being released pending notification of next of kin.
The investigation revealed that on Saturday, 02/21/09, at approximately 9:30 pm, a witness saw four subjects assaulting an individual in the 400 block of De La Vina Street. The witness then saw several subjects running south on De La Vina Street and watched the subjects get into a vehicle. The victim was last seen running north on De La Vina Street.
The investigation is continuing and police have three persons in custody. The incident is not gang related and it appears the victim was known to some of the suspects. (The names of the arrested are not being released at this point to preserve the integrity of the investigation.)
Feb
23
DUI Wrap-up
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SANTA BARBARA, CA - On 02/13/09 at approximately 2:17 am, police stopped a silver Jeep on the 500 block of Chapala Street for failing to stop at a stop sign, lane straddling, and failure to drive on a green light. As the vehicle was pulling over, it bumped into the curb. Police contacted the driver, Dwight Alan Eads, age 33, and based on their observations, initiated a DUI investigation. Eads was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail. Eads’ vehicle was towed.
On 02/13/09 at approximately 10:52 pm, police stopped a white Toyota Camry on the 400 Block of Coronel Place for no tail lights and failure to stop at a stop sign. Police contacted the driver, Rogelio Razo Mena, age 33. Razo was attempting to exit his vehicle during the traffic stop. Based on their observations officers began a DUI investigation. A records check of Mena revealed that he did not have a driver?s license. Mena could not produce proof of insurance. Mena was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for driving under the influence (2nd offense in less than 12 months), unlicensed driver, and no proof of insurance. Mena’s vehicle was towed.
On 02/14/09 at approximately 1:12 am, police stopped a silver Dodge truck on the 100 block of west Haley Street for failing to have it headlamps on. Officers contacted the driver, Theodore Cash Llewellyn, age 22, and based on their observations initiated a DUI investigation. Llewellyn was arrested and subsequently cited and released for driving under the influence. Llewellyn’s vehicle was towed.
On 02/14/09 at approximately 1:22 am, officers responded to City Lot #5 on a call of a non-injury traffic collision involving a driver who was possibly DUI. Officers arrived and were directed to the possible DUI driver, Kyleen Marie Dawson, age 43. Officers initiated a DUI investigation on Dawson while other officers contacted the driver of the vehicle that had been hit. When speaking with Angelic Cortes, age 27, officers suspected she was driving her vehicle under the influence. They initiated a DUI investigation on Cortes. Upon completion of both investigations, Dawson and Cortes were arrested and subsequently cited and released for driving under the influence. Both vehicles were towed.
On 02/14/09 at approximately 4:15 am, police stopped a silver Honda Civic on the first block of East Haley Street for traveling the wrong way on a one way street. Officers contacted the driver, Alexandra Marjorie Brown, age 22, and based on their observations initiated a DUI investigation. Brown was arrested and subsequently cited and released for driving under the influence. Brown’s vehicle was towed.
On 02/14/09 at approximately 11:00 pm, officers responded to the 400 block of State Street on a call of a disturbance. While in the area, they observed a grey Nissan Altima traveling the wrong way on the first block of West Gutierrez Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and contacted the driver, Shahram Naghifazel, age 41. Based on their observations officers initiated a DUI investigation. A records check of Naghifazel revealed that his driver?s license had been suspended. Naghifazel was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for driving under the influence and suspended license. Naghifazel’s vehicle was towed.
On 02/15/09 at approximately 1:00 am, police contacted the driver of a red Hyundai because the vehicle had stopped in a red zone on the 500 block of State Street and then pulled forward and stopped in a taxi zone on the same block. The driver was identified as Stephen Darrick Turner, age 45. Officers contacted Turner and based on their observations initiated a DUI investigation. A records check of Turner revealed that his driver?s license was suspended. Turner was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for driving under the influence and suspended license.