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SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/26/2007 – Here is a summary of SBPD’s activity during the Thanksgiving holiday:

On 11/21/07 at 12:45 a.m. Officer Klug stopped a 2001 Mercury SUV for a stop sign violation. The driver, James Pawlonek, age 43 gave someone else’s name and drivers license. The passenger, Debbi Barnack backed up the story of his bogus identity. Their ploy may have worked except Officer Klug, an expert in drug recognition, determined that Pawlonek was under the influence of a controlled stimulant. A female officer recovered packets of suspected crystal meth from Barnack’s person. In the back seat of the vehicle was a purse stolen earlier in the day from a vehicle parked at the Las Positas Tennis Courts. Both suspects were arrested for possession and transportation of meth, and possession of stolen property.

On 11/24/07 at 1:30 a.m. police responded to a call of an assault at Fig and Haley Streets. A 35-year-old man was lying unconscious on the ground. Witnesses described the suspect, who was located in City Lot 11. Jason Rene Sullivan, age 21 was arrested for assault causing serious injury. Reportedly, Sullivan had been drinking in a nightclub when he misplaced his wallet. Assuming someone stole it, he ran out to find the suspect. He asked the victim if he had the wallet and an argument ensued. Sullivan punched the victim, knocking him out. Ironically, one of Sullivan’s friends had his wallet.

On 11/24/07, police contacted a 43-year-old woman who was experiencing stress in her life. Days earlier, this woman (the victim) contacted another woman (the suspect) who advertised being able to “cleanse” people and their money in order to bring them good luck. The victim entrusted $4,000 cash to the woman. Since then, the victim reported not being able to find the suspect. Police accompanied the victim to the suspect’s residence only to discover she had moved out. Police did locate a second victim, a 21-year-old man who entrusted the suspect with $1,000 cash in order to “cleanse” it. Police are looking for the suspect and the missing $5,000.

Bryan Risdon, age 25, is a fisherman doing repairs on a 27 foot Radon fishing vessel named the “Jan Marie”. On 11/24/07, Risdon invited two drinking buddies aboard the “Jan Marie” on a trip to the Channel Islands. Meanwhile, someone called the vessel’s owner to report his vessel heading out to sea. The owner was upset because the vessel was not yet sea worthy and Risdon did not have permission to take it. At 11:00 p.m. that night, Risdon radioed that the vessel had broken down and was anchored at Pelican Bay, near Anacapa Island. The “Jan Marie” had to be towed back to Santa Barbara Harbor. Risdon was arrested for grand theft. The two buddies were each cited for possession of marijuana.

On 11/25/07 at 11:10 p.m. police contacted Nicolas Gonzalez Juarez, age 31, after seeing him loitering in a high drug trafficking area near the freeway. Juarez gave a false name and had a crack pipe in his pocket. He had some marijuana and was on parole. Juarez was arrested for giving a false name, possession of a crack pipe and marijuana, and parole violation.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/26/2007 – Here is a summary of SBPD arrests for driving under the influence made over the Thanksgiving holiday:

On 11/21/07 at 1:00 p.m. John Alfred Sewak, age 46 was stopped for driving his 2007 Chevy Aveo the wrong way down Santa Barbara Street. Sewak was arrested for DUI and no insurance.

On 11/22/07 at 2:25 a.m. Shikar Bista, age 24 was stopped on upper State Street for driving his 1983 BMW while straddling lines. Bista was arrested for DUI.

On 11/22/07 at 4:50 p.m. a citizen flagged down an officer on Milpas Street to point out an erratic motorist. Police stopped Agustin Martinez Anorve, age 25, in a 1998 Chevy Lumina. Anorve was arrested for DUI, unlicensed driver, and no insurance.

On 11/23/07 at 12:30 a.m. an officer watched as Jose Alfredo Olivares Calderon, age 27, drove his 1993 Lincoln up on a cement tire stop in a parking lot on Broadmoor Plaza. The vehicle high-centered and became stuck. Calderon was arrested for DUI, unlicensed driver, and no insurance.

On 11/23/07 at 2:10 a.m. police contacted Patrick Thomas Garrity, age 31, after he sideswiped his 1995 Izuzu Trooper into a tree and rear end-ended his neighbor’s vehicle parked on La Coronilla. Garrity was arrested for DUI.

On 11/23/07 at 9:15 p.m. police stopped Charles Vincent Eckert, age 20, for running a stop sign on the Eastside in his 2003 Toyota Tacoma. Police found beer and tequila in the vehicle. Eckert was arrested for DUI and minor in possession of alcohol. His passenger, Sam Montgomery Burke, age 20, was arrested for minor in possession of alcohol and possession of marijuana.

On 11/24/07 at 9:30 p.m. police stopped Gustavo Rocha Martinez, age 20 when he drove his 1984 Ford Ranger into a police check point at 700 E. Canon Perdido Street. Martinez was arrested for DUI, unlicensed driver, and possession of marijuana.

On 11/25/07 at 11:10 p.m. Joel Anthony Brown, age 37 was stopped downtown for running a stop sign in his Toyota Tacoma. Brown was arrested for DUI.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/20/2007 – In another example of ‘Here’s a cop when you need one,’ last night Officer Bacon was patrolling upper State Street neighborhoods on the graveyard shift. This morning at 1:15 a.m. he heard the sound of squealing brakes approaching. Officer Bacon witnessed a black 2000 Lincoln Town Car drive west on State Street, run off the road, and crash into a retaining wall at Washington Mutual Bank at 3768 State Street. The Lincoln sustained major front-end damage. Four passengers, ages 25, 24, 19, and 18 were injured. The most serious injury was a fractured and dislocated left hip. The driver, Tiago Oliveira Ramos, age 24 was uninjured. Reportedly, he was driving west on State Street, intending to turn right on Hope Avenue. When he approached Hitchcock Avenue, he was confused about this being Hope Avenue and started a right turn. He realized his mistake too late and crashed into the retaining wall. Ramos displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for felony DUI causing injury. His blood alcohol level as measured on a breathalyzer test was .17; more than twice the legal limit of .08. The vehicle occupants were all foreign students attending a local English language school. Prior to the accident they had all been celebrating International Night at a downtown nightclub.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/19/2007 – Here is a summary of the weekend’s eight (8) arrests for driving under the influence:

On 11/16/07 at 1:00 a.m. Lonni Raye Ramos, age 31 was stopped at 1st block W. Gutierrez Street for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. She was arrested for DUI.

On 11/16/07 at 2:25 a.m. Ty Jason Vose, age 33 was stopped downtown for speeding. He was arrested for DUI.

On 11/16/07 at 2:50 a.m. Ulises Moreno Urrutia, age 27 was stopped for driving while straddling the bike lane. The vehicle made a turn and again was straddling the bike lane. Urrutia was arrested for being an unlicensed driver and DUI.

On 11/16/07 at 11:00 p.m. police responded to 1600 block of Grand Avenue on a call of a domestic disturbance. Police contacted Kimley Amanda Williams, age 20, who had argued with her boyfriend. Williams had been drinking and the boyfriend was trying to convince her not to drive. Williams drove a short distance before striking her boyfriend, which caused no injury. Williams was arrested for DUI.

On 11/17/07 at 10:40 p.m. police responded to an unknown if injury traffic collision at 2100 Modoc Rd. Jorge Luis Trejo, age 19, had been driving his Mercury Cougar when he struck a parked Nissan. Trejo was conscious but transported to Cottage Hospital for evaluation. Trejo said he left a party at his aunt’s house and had borrowed his uncle’s car. Trejo was arrested for DUI and being an unlicensed driver.

On 11/18/07 at 1:45 a.m. police responded to a call of a wrecked vehicle at 300 E. Cota Street. Police contacted the driver, Christian Luis Martinez, age 19, who was behind the wheel of a totaled 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup. Witnesses related that Martinez was driving at high speed when he struck a telephone pole. The vehicle flipped in the air, landed on its side, completely rolled over, and came to rest on its wheels. Martinez was arrested for DUI.

On 11/18/07 at 3:00 a.m. police responded to 1100 Bregante Lane on a call of a vehicle involved in a collision that was attempting to leave. Police contacted Mariela Ruelas, age 17, near her 1998 Ford Explorer. The investigation determined that Ruelas had rear-ended a parked Geo Metro, causing major damage to both vehicles. She continued down the street, crashing into a fence. Witnesses reported her trying to free the vehicle without success. Ruelas was arrested for DUI, hit-and-run and having fake ID.

On 11/18/07 at 7:40 a.m., police dispatch received a call of a collision at Castillo and Micheltorena streets. The suspect vehicle fled the scene, followed by the victim vehicle. By cell phone, the victim directed police to Javier Mauricio Varela-Felix, age 22, driving a 1999 Nissan Maxima. Varela-Felix was arrested for felony DUI causing injury, felony hit-and-run causing injury and for possession of over one ounce of marijuana.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/19/2007 – Here is a summary of this weekend’s police activity:

On 11/15/07 at 1:30 p.m. Kenneth Lee Thomas, age 39, walked up on a group of diners seated at a sidewalk table of Pierre LaFond Restaurant at 516 State Street. He picked up the bill folder containing the cash to pay for the meal. The diners collectively grabbed his arm, preventing him from completing the theft. Restaurant employees told Thomas to leave the area. He ignored the warning and lingered, stating he would take any loose money he could. Police were called and arrested Thomas for a $3,000 warrant, plus parole violation.

On 11/16/07 at 5:30 p.m. police contacted Chris Patrick Sandoval, age 44 at his residence in the 400 block of N. Canada Street after receiving complaints of him yelling at passersby. Sandoval was intoxicated from beer and marijuana. He was arrested for violation of parole.

On 11/15/07 at 11:20 p.m. a 22-year-old man was dropped off on Milpas Street by two companions who wanted to go downtown. The 22-year man bought an 18-pack of beer and was walking to his eastside residence. He was spotted walking alone by Hector Enrique Gonzalez, age 26, a known gang member. Gonzalez, who is 6-0, 230 lbs, reportedly stopped his vehicle in the middle of the street, confronted the victim, and tore the beer from his hands. When the victim protested, Gonzalez struck him in the head with a full beer from a distance of 3-feet. Meanwhile, the victim’s two friends changed their mind about going downtown and decided to give their friend a ride. They drove up on the street-assault in progress. One of the companions picked up the beer and tried to assist the victim. Gonzalez challenged them all to fight and tore the beer from this man’s hands, ripping his shirt in the process. Just then, gang enforcement officers patrolling the area in an undercover vehicle noticed the two vehicles stopped in the middle of the street. They drove up just as Gonzalez was running back to his vehicle with the stolen beer. A surprised Gonzalez was arrested for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and probation violation.

On 11/17/07 at 9:45 a.m. witnesses reported a man associated with a white 1989 Toyota truck breaking into vehicles parked at Lazy Acres store, 302 Meigs Rd. Officer DeJohn stopped Rogelio Estrada Sanchez, age 37, driving the vehicle toward the exit. The truck was stolen, and the plates were stolen off a Subaru. Sanchez had used a homemade device to bypass the ignition locking system and start the truck. Inside the truck was property from at least two other auto burglaries. Sanchez was arrested for auto theft, possession of burglary tools and burglary from auto.

On 11/17/07 at 7:00 p.m. officers working bicycle patrol stopped a 2004 Buick SUV at 600 San Pascual Street for loud stereo. There were five occupants, three of whom were gang members. A 16-year-old male was cited for possession of an opened beer. The driver, Cesar Verduzco, age 20 was arrested for driving on a suspended license, having a $1000 arrest warrant and for possession of an illegal weapon after police found a baseball bat covered with gang writing in the vehicle. Note that baseball bats are commonly used in gang assaults.

On 11/18/07 at 2:40 a.m. police arrested Anthony Paul Shank, age 27 for public intoxication and vandalism after he threw a full bottle of beer through the window of a residence in the 200 block of W. Arrellaga St. Shank had been visiting at the residence, but was ejected for causing problems.

On 11/19/07 at 1:00 a.m. police stopped Mark John Vestal, age 43, for driving his 2006 BMW the wrong way at 300 Laguna Street. This is a high drug trafficking area, particularly after midnight. Police suspicions were heightened when they recognized the passenger as a well known street level drug dealer. A search of the vehicle turned up some marijuana, a crack pipe, and a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun in the trunk. Vestal was cited for these violations.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/16/2007. Arresting street level drug users is one of several important police priorities. The connection between drug use and the societal scourges of theft, prostitution, chronic homelessness, and mental problems has long been established. SBPD made several narcotic arrests in the last few days:

Narcotic detectives identified Santiago Garcia Hernandez, age 25, as a drug dealer. On 11/13/07, Hernandez was arrested in the 1000 block of San Andres Street after trying to sell cocaine to an undercover police officer. Detectives served a search warrant at his residence located in an apartment complex in the 1300 block of San Pascual. Detectives recovered one and a half ounces combined weight of cocaine powder and “crack” cocaine, along with packaging materials and evidence of drug sales. Detectives seized $2,900 cash suspected of being drug profits. Hernandez was booked for possession and transportation of cocaine.

Yesterday, 11/15/07, the SBPD Tactical Patrol Force completed a two-day narcotic enforcement operation in the area of Yanonali Street and Calle Cesar Chavez. Dealers and users have been using brush growing adjacent to the freeway to conceal their illegal activity. Undercover officers set up surveillance locations to observe hand-to-hand drug deals. Eight people were arrested over the two-day period including: Ernesto Ventura for possession of crack cocaine, Jose Garcia for possession of powder cocaine, Henry Paul Rojo for possession of powder cocaine and Clifford Johnson for possession of powdered cocaine. The other arrests were for misdemeanor warrants and possession of drug paraphernalia. The CHP assisted in one arrest operation. To reduce the attractiveness of this area with drug users, SBPD is working with the Public Works Department and CalTrans to clean up encampments and remove excess foliage.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/16/2007. Four young men were arrested yesterday afternoon after police interrupted a gang assault in progress. Gang officers describe events as follows: Enrique Moran, age 20, was hanging out with Francisco Alcaraz, age 20 and Jason Odale, age 21. All are either gang members or known associates. Moran took his girlfriend’s vehicle without permission. Moran, Alcaraz, and Odale cruised over to Milpas Street where they picked up a 19-year old and 15-year-old male, both gang members/associates. They bought beer, drove to Odale’s residence on the Mesa, and picked up a few handfuls of loose change to buy some marijuana. At 1:40 p.m. they stopped at the USA Gas station at Carrillo and San Andres Street to exchange the loose change for paper currency. While Moran and Odale were in the store, Alcaraz, who was armed with a large butcher knife, spotted an unidentified young man walking through the USA gas station parking lot. Alcaraz jumped out of the car with the butcher knife and confronted him. Detectives believe that Alcaraz believed the victim was associated with a rival gang. Witnesses described the victim falling down and Alcaraz standing over him, stabbing downwards. Somehow, the victim scrambled to his feet and ran north on San Andres Street. The suspects all jumped in the car and chased after the victim. Meanwhile, Officers Kushner and Cruz were patrolling the area. They saw the victim running full-speed up San Andres Street. Citizens were waving their arms and motioning as if something was amiss. Officer Cruz got out of the police car to contact the fleeing youth. Just then, the car-load of five suspects sped up San Andres Street from USA Gas. Officer Kushner recognized the occupants as gang members from another side of town, and motioned for the vehicle to stop. Instead, the vehicle swerved around him and accelerated away. Officer Kushner followed them while Officer Cruz was on foot trying to contact the still-fleeing victim. Officer Cruz broke off trying to contact the victim and flagged down a motorist in a pickup truck. This unknown driver, with Officer Cruz as passenger, followed in line behind Officer Kushner, who was following the suspect vehicle. Meanwhile, police dispatch was just receiving phone calls reporting the knife assault at USA Gas. The suspect vehicle lost control and ran partially off the road at San Pascual and Figueroa Street. Officers Kushner and Cruz detained two suspects at the scene and recovered the large butcher knife from the vehicle. The other three suspects fled on foot. Police quickly coordinated a tight perimeter between the freeway, train tracks, and a drainage culvert. Two suspects were flushed from a large drain pipe that runs beneath Hwy 101. They emerged, soaked with stagnant water. The fifth suspect eluded capture. As police were investigating, the girlfriend who had possession of the vehicle called to report the vehicle stolen. When told the circumstances of how police recovered it, she insisted that her boyfriend did not have permission to take it. Police soon tracked the fugitive suspect down at a residence in the 300 block of E. Anapamu Street. He had hurriedly changed his clothes and shaved his mustache and beard. Detectives noticed a prominent shaving nick. The suspects are:

Enrique Moran, age 20, arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, resisting arrest, and driving on a suspended license;

Francisco Alcaraz, age 20, arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang;

Jason Odale, age 21 for resisting arrest;

15-year-old male arrested for probation violation.

The fifth subject, a 19-year-old male was questioned and released.

Police seek to contact the fleeing youth described as being the assault victim. They also would like to thank the motorist who gave Officer Cruz a ride. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sergeant Bernie Gaona, 897-2339.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/15/2007. A suspect is in custody after committing brazen day-time robberies at two downtown banks. He is identified as Donald Kevin Romanik, age 50, a longtime local resident who was released from prison four days ago. His short crime spree began at 12:04 p.m. at the busy Bank of America branch at 834 State Street. Reportedly, Romanik entered the bank, waited in line, and confronted a female teller. He claimed to have a gun and announced a robbery. He obtained an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing out the back door toward Canon Perdido Street. Included with the cash was a dye pack that deployed seconds after he left the bank. Witnesses reported hearing a “pop” and seeing a cloud of red dye as Romanik ran across the street into City Parking Lot 9, adjacent to the Lobero Theater. Witnesses provided Romanik’s description including that he was now splattered with red dye. Sergeant John Corre happened to be downtown when the call was received and dispatched. He approached City Lot 9 on foot from the State Street side. A Borders Bookstore employee told him the suspect had just run through the parking lot toward Anacapa Street. This was corroborated by a wispy trail of dye pack residue suspended in the air. Sergeant Corre followed the escape route to Anacapa Street. As he reached the rear of Santa Barbara Bank and Trust at 20 E. Carrillo Street, Sergeant Corre heard a second loud ‘pop’ sound. He saw Romanik running across Carrillo Street in a cloud of red dye. Romanik was chased down in the parking lot of Rabobank, 33 E. Carrillo Street and arrested without incident. As it turned out, Romanik had just robbed Santa Barbara Bank and Trust at 20 E. Carrillo Street while Sergeant Corre was in the parking lot searching for him. This second robbery occurred at 12:10 p.m. Reportedly, after committing the BofA robbery, Romanik went into SBB&T, confronted a female teller, claimed to have a gun, and demanded cash. In a repeat of the BofA robbery, Romanik obtained an undisclosed amount of cash that included a dye pack. The “pop” sound and cloud of red dye observed by Sergeant Corre was the second dye pack deploying seconds after the SBB&T robbery. These robbery cases are being handled jointly with the Ventura FBI office. Romanik’s photo is not being released at this time pending further investigation. Romanik was arrested for two counts of bank robbery and parole violation.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – 11/13/07. Last night at 7:40 p.m., police responded to 300 Ladera Street after police dispatch received several 911 calls reporting vandalism and brandishing of a knife. Police found two vehicles with smashed windows and contacted several witnesses. One witness reported sitting his vehicle when an SUV loaded with five young men stopped along side. One suspect approached his vehicle on foot, smashed out the drivers’ window, and brandished a large butcher knife. The frightened victim slid across the glass covered seat and escaped out the passenger door. A second vehicle sustained a broken window and pry marks on a door. Other witnesses heard the suspects shouting derogatory comments about a (presumably) rival gang before driving away in their SUV. Later that evening, at 8:55 p.m., Officer Castro was at the USA Gas Station at 8 S. Milpas Street when a 2003 Ford Explorer playing a loud stereo pulled in to get gas. The Explorer matched the suspect vehicle’s description and was occupied by five gang members. As Officer Castro contacted the driver to investigate, he saw several open containers of beer and a large butcher knife in plain view. With the assistance of some back-up officers, the five occupants were detained. Other property found in the vehicle included an illegal knife, a metal pipe and a screwdriver often used by gang members as weapons. A witness in the earlier vandalism case identified the driver as the suspect who smashed his window and threatened him with the butcher knife. Arrested were:

Emilio Mora, age 19, for vandalism, brandishing a weapon, criminal conspiracy, possession of an illegal weapon, and committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang;

Roberto Amador, age 19, for possession of an illegal weapon, criminal conspiracy, committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang, and minor in possession of alcohol;

Jose Pedro Zavala, age 21, for possession of an illegal weapon, criminal conspiracy, and committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang;

A 17-year-old male for possession of an illegal weapon, criminal conspiracy, committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang, and possession of drug paraphernalia;

And a 17-year-old male for possession of an illegal weapon, criminal conspiracy, and committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang.

In an unrelated case, last night at 10:30 p.m., two teens were sitting in their vehicle at Franklin Center, 1100 E. Mason Street, when they were confronted by three suspected teenaged gang members. One suspect had a knife. The victims were punched, threatened, and robbed of $10 cash. One victim sustained a minor cut to his hand. This case is under investigation.

SANTA BARBARA, CA –On 11/10/07 Police and Animal Control investigated a report of animal Cruelty against a 4-month old cat named Gigi. The cat’s owner, a 19-year-old male, reported that he lives with the suspect, Nicholas David Thompson, age 21, at a residence on Loma Alta. That morning at 8:00 a.m. while a friend was visiting, they heard banging sounds coming from the bathroom. The friend investigated and saw Thompson forcefully banging the cat’s head against the wall. Thompson threw the cat in the closed shower and turned on the water. The friend tried to retrieve the cat and inspect it for injuries. Thompson screamed at him to leave the cat in there because it had urinated on his bed. After a few minutes of convincing, the cat owner and his friend retrieved the cat, but retreated to their bedroom due to Thompson’s yelling and physical intimidation. The cat was severely injured and needed immediate medical care. After several minutes, the owner and friend tried to push past Thompson, who stood outside their door screaming about the cat. Thompson shouted that they could not leave the residence until they cleaned up the cat urine. Thompson blocked their path and, when they tried to leave, forcefully pushed his roommate back into the room. After several more minutes, the owner and friend took the cat to the Santa Barbara Pet Hospital at 1807 Cliff Drive. The cat arrived near death. It suffered a variety of injuries; most notable was a depressed heart rate, ruptured blood vessels in the eyes, and brain swelling. Officers went to the residence and found Thompson smoking marijuana in his bedroom. After questioning, Thompson was arrested for a felony count of Cruelty to Animal, False Imprisonment, and Battery, with bail set at $20,000. Note: As of today (11/12/07), the cat Gigi is much improved.

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