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SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/29/2006 – Today SBPD Burglary and Youth Services detectives made three arrests for possession of stolen property, drug sales, and felony graffiti vandalism.  The case began with a tip about marijuana sales.  Further investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant.  This morning at 7:00 a.m., detectives served the court-ordered search warrant at a residence in the 900 block of Alphonse Street.  Officers found ½ pound of high grade marijuana, scales, and other evidence of sales.  Scattered throughout the modest residence was high-end electronics, computers, contractor-grade power tools, firearms, and more.  Upon entry, the residents were watching a 42” plasma flat screen television.  It was reported stolen in a local burglary.  Based on police files of reported stolen property, physical evidence, and statements, police believe much of the valuable property is stolen.   A pick-up truck was summoned to haul suspected stolen property to the police station for investigation.  Detectives spent the day cataloging suspected stolen property and researching theft reports.  They believe much of the property will be matched to local theft victims.  In addition, police found substantial amounts of graffiti related property belonging to one resident, Jason Short.  Police have identified Jason Short as a prolific graffiti tagger, responsible for thousands of dollars in damage.  The three people arrested at the scene are: Robert Mitchum, age 29, for parole violation; Jason Short, age 21 for violation of probation and felony graffiti vandalism; and Gilbert Short, age 45 for possession of stolen property and possession of marijuana for sales.  All three men live at the residence.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - 11/27/2006 -11/27/06.  This morning at 12:01 a.m., a local taxicab driver discovered a severely injured 19-year-old woman lying in the intersection at De La Vina and Pueblo Streets.  She was admitted to Cottage Hospital with severe abdominal injuries.  She is in serious but stable condition.  Police responded to investigate the incident.  The woman’s purse and house keys were discovered on the doorstep of her nearby apartment.  It was immediately suspected that the injury was caused by a vehicle, but the circumstances were puzzling.  Further investigation determined that shortly before being discovered in the road, the victim had been at a private party.  She and her boyfriend were driven home by a third party.  Once she got home, the victim and the boyfriend argued.  The boyfriend left the area with the third party.  As the boyfriend was leaving, the woman responded by lying down in the
middle of the road.  The boyfriend left, and was not further involved in this incident.  However, the woman remained lying down in the street.  Meanwhile, a motorist traveling south on De La Vina Street ran over the victim while she was still lying in the street.  There is no description of this vehicle.  The woman remained in the street until noticed by the passing taxicab.  The cab driver stated that he barely saw the woman in time to stop.  The woman had been drinking, and alcohol is believed to have factored in this incident.  Traffic investigators are seeking to identify the driver of the car that ran over the victim.  Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Todd Stoney or the Watch Commander at 897-2355.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - 11/13/2006 -Santa Barbara will soon be a tougher town for impaired drivers.

Beginning later this month, the Santa Barbara Police Department will conduct DUI sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, warrant sweeps and courtroom enforcement operations.  Saturation patrols consist of extra officers with the primary focus of DUI enforcement. Warrant sweeps involve locating and arresting people with DUI related arrest warrants.  Courtroom enforcement stings involves
undercover officers who follow and arrest people who drive after a judge orders their license suspended or revoked.

“Clearly, we take driving under the influence very seriously,” said Santa Barbara Police Chief Camerino Sanchez.  “DUI is a preventable crime and arresting DUI drivers will save lives.”  The DUI enforcement effort targets drivers under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medication.

This effort is made possible by a $286,000 grant issued by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The grant will fund 50 checkpoints distributed over the next two years.

This operation falls under the oversight of Sergeant Jim Pfleging of the Traffic Section.

Year Long Investigation Yields 25 Arrests

SANTA BARBARA, CA - 11/8/2006 - The Santa Barbara Police Department announces progress in a year-long drug distribution investigation.  So far, 25 people have been arrested and pounds of drugs have been seized.  This investigation targeted middle to upper level drug dealers.  The arrests were spread out over the year, but the suspects are all believed connected to a tight-knit drug distribution ring.  Many of the suspects are related to each other.

To date, the drugs seized include 2 ½ lbs of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), 3 ½ lbs of cocaine, 2 ounces of rock cocaine, and 2 ounces of heroin.  Suspected drug profits of $150,000 cash and 6 vehicles have been seized.

The following five suspects were arrested on November 2nd, 2006.

Crescenciano Herrera Orrala, age 40; possession of narcotics for sales and conspiracy; no-bail hold.

Roque Quintero Ahumada, age 30; possession of narcotics for sales and conspiracy; no-bail hold.

Rafael Fonseca Suarez, age 43; possession of narcotics for sales and conspiracy; no-bail hold.

Rafael Escamilla, age 24; transportation and conspiracy to distribute narcotics; bail $100,000.

Mario Enrique Lara, age 38; transportation and conspiracy to distribute narcotics; bail $100,000.

The following four suspects were arrested October 19th, 2006.

Gilbert Guerrero Flores, age 29; possession of powder and rock cocaine for sales, no-bail hold.

Alfredo Guerrero Flores, age 20; possession of powder and rock cocaine for sales, no-bail hold.

Antonio Guerrero Flores, age 35; possession of powder and rock cocaine for sales, no-bail hold.

Soledad Vargas Gutierrez, age 25; possession of powder and rock cocaine for sales, no-bail hold.

The SBPD Narcotics Detail was greatly assisted by the following agencies: Santa Barbara Regional Task Force (SBRNT), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), SB Sheriff’s Department (SBSO), Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the SB District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the San Luis
Obispo Narcotics Task Force (SLONTF).

SANTA BARBARA, CA - 11/2/2006 - 11/2/06.  Today at 9:18 a.m., police responded to a stabbing that just occurred at 400 W. Ortega Street.  The victim, Buck O’Brien Unzueta, age 31, was seated on the curb.  He suffered multiple stab wounds to his torso.  He was admitted into the Cottage Hospital Intensive Care Unit with a collapsed lung.  His wounds are not considered life threatening. The circumstances and motive surrounding the stabbing remain under investigation.  It is unknown if the incident is gang related, but Unzueta has a history of gang ties.  The stabbing followed a brief altercation that began at 600 Castillo Street.  The suspects are described as two Hispanic males, 15 to 18 years in age.  Witnesses reported seeing the suspects flee west across the Ortega Street Foot Bridge.  Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Mike Brown, or the Watch Commander at 897-2355.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 10/30/2006 – In yet another busy weekend, police highlights include several people arrested for assaults, drug dealing, and after running to avoid arrest for other charges.

In the early morning hours of 10/27/06 Mark Quinones, age 21 was involved with an altercation with a taxi driver.  Quinonez was cited for the offense of battery, and was released.  He went to a friend’s residence in the 100 block of West Ortega Street.  Unable or unwilling to calm down, Quinonez became embroiled in a disturbance with an old high school friend.  Reportedly, Quinonez and the victim argued and began wrestling.  Friends separated the pair, but Quinonez began throwing objects in and outside the small residence.  Still agitated, Quinonez hit a friend in the ribs with a large wall mirror.  The victim sustained a moderate sized laceration and a large abdominal contusion.  Police ended Quinonez’s ability to do harm by arresting him for assault with a deadly weapon, bail $30,000.

On 10/27/06 at 10:30 p.m., an officer stopped to contact a man for the minor violation of parking in a red zone at 700 Olive Street.  Instead of accepting a warning, the man fled at the sight of approaching police.  He was chased over several fences and tackled at 500 E. Ortega Street.  Police soon discovered the reason for the suspect’s sudden flight: Alvaro Valenton Espinoza, age 24, was under the influence of Methamphetamine and cocaine, and, as a criminally deported felon, was in violation of his parole for even being in the U.S.  He was arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest, being under the influence of Meth and cocaine, and parole violation.  He is being held without bail.

On 10/28/06 at 12:45 a.m., police contacted two men loitering near a car parked at De La Guerra Plaza.  The car belonged to one man, both they were both acting nervous and suspicious.  Police arrested one of the men for a pre-existing warrant for brandishing a weapon.  An officer with a drug-sniffing police canine happened to be on duty.  The police canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the car.  A search of the car turned up the “designer drugs” Ecstasy and Ketamine.  Police also found marijuana and Methamphetamine smoking pipes.  Walter Seth Stanley and Kyle Steven Villa, both aged 26 were booked at SB County Jail, bail 30,000.

On 10/26/06 at 9:00 a.m., a man reported his new Giant brand mountain bicycle stolen from Marina 3.  While handling other patrol responsibilities, an officer was on the lookout for the stolen bicycle.  He contacted a man with a matching bicycle near the labor line, 400 E. Yanonali Street.  The man claimed to have owned it for two weeks.  He insisted that it could not be the stolen bicycle.  The officer called the original bike-theft victim to the scene.  The victim accurately described the bicycle as being his, including unique scratches and after market accessories.  Upon hearing this, the suspect in possession of the obviously stolen bike back-peddled with his story, desperate to find an explanation.  Unconvinced, the officer arrested the suspect, Mario Marcus Gonzalez, age 26 for possession of stolen property, bail set at $20,000.

Lastly, on 10/29/06 at 6:00 p.m., police arrested Diana Magana Amezcua, age 33 for assault with a deadly weapon.  This followed a disturbance on the rail road tracks below the Micheltorena Street Bridge.  Reportedly, Amezcua has a long history of anger and violence toward her ex-husband.  This afternoon, the two were drinking beer amongst friends and acquaintances.  For unknown reasons, Amezcua became angered at the victim.  She broke the bottom off a beer bottle and threatened him.  A friend tried to intercede and calm her.  She broke free and stabbed her ex-husband in the chest.  The victim was admitted to Cottage Hospital in stable condition.  Police officers fanned out across the railroad track area to look for the suspect.  An officer quietly waiting in the shadows beneath the Micheltorena Street over-crossing saw Amezcua walk by.  She matched the suspect description and had blood on her clothing.  She was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, bail set at $30,000.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 10/30/2006 – In yet another busy weekend, police highlights include several people arrested for assaults, drug dealing, and after running to avoid arrest for other charges.

In the early morning hours of 10/27/06 Mark Quinones, age 21 was involved with an altercation with a taxi driver.  Quinonez was cited for the offense of battery, and was released.  He went to a friend’s residence in the 100 block of West Ortega Street.  Unable or unwilling to calm down, Quinonez became embroiled in a disturbance with an old high school friend.  Reportedly, Quinonez and the victim argued and began wrestling.  Friends separated the pair, but Quinonez began throwing objects in and outside the small residence.  Still agitated, Quinonez hit a friend in the ribs with a large wall mirror.  The victim sustained a moderate sized laceration and a large abdominal contusion.  Police ended Quinonez’s ability to do harm by arresting him for assault with a deadly weapon, bail $30,000.

On 10/27/06 at 10:30 p.m., an officer stopped to contact a man for the minor violation of parking in a red zone at 700 Olive Street.  Instead of accepting a warning, the man fled at the sight of approaching police.  He was chased over several fences and tackled at 500 E. Ortega Street.  Police soon discovered the reason for the suspect’s sudden flight: Alvaro Valenton Espinoza, age 24, was under the influence of Methamphetamine and cocaine, and, as a criminally deported felon, was in violation of his parole for even being in the U.S.  He was arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest, being under the influence of Meth and cocaine, and parole violation.  He is being held without bail.

On 10/28/06 at 12:45 a.m., police contacted two men loitering near a car parked at De La Guerra Plaza.  The car belonged to one man, both they were both acting nervous and suspicious.  Police arrested one of the men for a pre-existing warrant for brandishing a weapon.  An officer with a drug-sniffing police canine happened to be on duty.  The police canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the car.  A search of the car turned up the “designer drugs” Ecstasy and Ketamine.  Police also found marijuana and Methamphetamine smoking pipes.  Walter Seth Stanley and Kyle Steven Villa, both aged 26 were booked at SB County Jail, bail 30,000.

On 10/26/06 at 9:00 a.m., a man reported his new Giant brand mountain bicycle stolen from Marina 3.  While handling other patrol responsibilities, an officer was on the lookout for the stolen bicycle.  He contacted a man with a matching bicycle near the labor line, 400 E. Yanonali Street.  The man claimed to have owned it for two weeks.  He insisted that it could not be the stolen bicycle.  The officer called the original bike-theft victim to the scene.  The victim accurately described the bicycle as being his, including unique scratches and after market accessories.  Upon hearing this, the suspect in possession of the obviously stolen bike back-peddled with his story, desperate to find an explanation.  Unconvinced, the officer arrested the suspect, Mario Marcus Gonzalez, age 26 for possession of stolen property, bail set at $20,000.

Lastly, on 10/29/06 at 6:00 p.m., police arrested Diana Magana Amezcua, age 33 for assault with a deadly weapon.  This followed a disturbance on the rail road tracks below the Micheltorena Street Bridge.  Reportedly, Amezcua has a long history of anger and violence toward her ex-husband.  This afternoon, the two were drinking beer amongst friends and acquaintances.  For unknown reasons, Amezcua became angered at the victim.  She broke the bottom off a beer bottle and threatened him.  A friend tried to intercede and calm her.  She broke free and stabbed her ex-husband in the chest.  The victim was admitted to Cottage Hospital in stable condition.  Police officers fanned out across the railroad track area to look for the suspect.  An officer quietly waiting in the shadows beneath the Micheltorena Street over-crossing saw Amezcua walk by.  She matched the suspect description and had blood on her clothing.  She was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, bail set at $30,000.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/1/2006 – Santa Barbara police officers working Halloween night downtown were kept busy with moderate sized crowds including many revelers dressed in Halloween costume. Mingling amongst the crowd were groups of gang members and associates. At 9:45 p.m., police responded to a gang fight that began at State and Canon Perdido Streets and progressed west to Chapala Street. The first officers on scene saw about twenty young men fighting at once. So engrossed were the participants that officers were literally pulling them apart to arrest them. Those combatants not detained at the scene fled in several directions: Through the Paseo Nuevo Mall, through City Lot #2, as well as east and west on Canon Perdido Streets. A hasty cordon of officers managed to chase down and arrest eleven male suspects. Police believe all are either gang members or associates. Several suspects were in possession of clubs and knives. A 14-year-old male was hospitalized for non-specific injuries suffered in the fight. A 16-year-old was hospitalized with three stab wounds in the back and a possible broken arm. The motive for the fight appears to be the on-going feud between rival gang members. Ten of the suspects arrested are juveniles whose ages range from 14 to 17 years. They were booked at juvenile hall for violations including battery, possession of illegal weapons, fighting in public, and probation violation. The one adult, Juan Bruno, age 19, was booked into jail for battery.