Jul
29
SANTA BARBARA, CA – On 7/29/08 at 3:16 a.m., officers responded to a call of subjects tampering with the exhaust system of a Toyota 4-Runner in the 200 block of Mohawk Dr. Due to the recent rash of catalytic converter thefts in the city, a perimeter was set up in the area of the call. The reporting party said that a red vehicle was seen parked and running next to the Toyota 4-Runner. Officers drove into the 100 block of Mohawk Dr. and saw a red car stopped in the roadway and a subject walking away from another 4-Runner parked in that block. When the subject saw the Officers, he then got into the red car. Officers then stopped the vehicle and contacted three occupants. Officers observed tools in the vehicle consistent with tools capable of removing catalytic converters. A search of the vehicle revealed five catalytic converters in the trunk. Officers then found a Toyota 4-Runner with a missing catalytic converter parked in front of the reporting party’s house. The occupants, 26 year old Jose Eduardo Elvir (from Los Angeles), 33 year old Francisco Gegan Torres (from Las Vegas), and 20 year old Rafael Perez Marquez (from Los Angeles) were arrested on-scene for grand theft. Detectives were called in to interview the suspects and conduct the follow-up investigation in this case.
Elvir was subsequently booked at Santa Barbara County Jail (SBCJ) for grand theft, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, false information to a peace officer, and violation of parole. Torres and Marquez were subsequently booked at SBCJ for grand theft, possession of burglary tools, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.
The police department would like to remind the community to utilize their driveways and garages to park their vehicles. In addition, please don?t hesitate to call the police if you observe any suspicious behavior in your neighborhood.
Jul
28
Criminal Organization Dismantled–Joint Investigation Concluded
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SANTA BARBARA, CA – 7/28/2008 – Early Friday morning, the Santa Barbara Regional Narcotic Enforcement Team (SBRNET) working in conjunction with Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), concluded a yearlong investigation into a local Santa Barbara illegal Firearms and Drug trafficking organization. With the assistance from nearly 100 Local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers, seven search warrants and nine arrests warrants were served in the city of Santa Barbara. Due to the on-going nature of the investigation, additional information will be provided at a later time. If you have any questions feel free to contact Ken Bambrick, Task Force Commander, Santa Barbara Regional Narcotic Enforcement Team at (805) 686-2555.
Jul
8
Portraits of Survival–SBPD Officers Will Tour the Exhibit
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SANTA BARBARA, CA – 7/7/2008 – In the upcoming weeks (July 7, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., July 8, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and July 17, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.), The Jewish Federation will host the Santa Barbara Police department in an effort spearheaded by Police Chief Cam Sanchez to present to police employees the Portrait of Survival Exhibit.
Portraits of Survival: Life Journeys During the Holocaust and Beyond is a permanent exhibit in photography and educational program which depicts the experiences of Santa Barbara residents who survived the Holocaust. Housed at the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara (524 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara) the program features survivors who speak with groups of all ages and backgrounds about living through horror and creating a life “beyond” trauma. The program lends hope and inspiration as it reaches out into the entire community in ways that are meaningful, within contemporary life and for future generations.
Officers will tour the exhibit, hear from some survivors whose stories are depicted in the exhibit, and view a brief film which summarizes some of the survivor experiences. In this way, officers can witness how the program resonates in life altering ways for participants of all ages, offering possibility beyond trauma and adversity, to inspire meaningful living and positive human connection.
The police department has developed this partnership with the Jewish Federation. This partnership will give the police department the opportunity of taking many young people through this exhibit as part of our on-going youth violence strategy. Young people from the Police Activities League (PAL) program as well as those from our community will continue to benefit from this program as part of the community’s, Mayor Blum’s, and City Council’s commitment to educate our youth against the negative effects and negative consequences of hate at any level. The police department employees play a key role in this citywide strategy, thus the officer’s involvement in being a part of the strategy through their personal visit to this exhibit.
Jul
8
Homicide Update–Several Arrests Made in Fourth of July Stabbing
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SANTA BARBARA, CA – 7/7/2008 – The Homicide investigation of the death of a local 15 year old male juvenile is ongoing. Thus, the police department is not releasing the name of the juvenile. A total of ten arrests have been made which include 6 juveniles and 4 adults:
A 15 year old male juvenile for Homicide and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
A 17 year old male juvenile for Conspiracy to Commit an Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
A 13 year old male juvenile for Conspiracy to Commit an Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
A 15 year old male juvenile for Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
A 15 year old male juvenile for Conspiracy to Commit an Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
A 15 year old male juvenile for Conspiracy to Commit Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
Miguel Marquez (21) for Conspiracy, Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
Richard Silva Garcia (19) for Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang and a misdemeanor warrant
Edwin Josimar Miguel (18) for Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
Manuel Adrian Lira (19) for Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
This incident is considered gang related. The police Department is asking for the public’s help with this investigation. If anyone has any information about this incident, please call the Santa Barbara Police Department at (805) 897-2300.
Jul
8
SANTA BARBARA, CA – On 07/04/08 at approximately 9:16 p.m., shortly before the fire works show, officers were dispatched to a call of a subject near the Dolphin Fountain/ Sterns Wharf suffering from stab wounds. Officers responded and located a 15 year old male juvenile with lacerations. Medics responded and transported the juvenile to Cottage Hospital where he was treated and released. At about the same time, officers were flagged down on a report of a second stabbing victim on the 200 block of East Cabrillo Boulevard. Additional officers responded to the 200 Block of East Cabrillo Boulevard and located a 15 year old juvenile with stab wounds. This juvenile was unresponsive. Medics responded and transported the 15 year old male juvenile to Cottage Hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Moments later, police received information that a 14 year old juvenile had been transported to Cottage Hospital by family members. This juvenile was suffering from a stab wound and he claimed the incident happened near Cabrillo Boulevard.
Due to the number of officers working for the Fourth of July event, numerous officers were allocated from other assignments and responded to the hospital and both locations on Cabrillo Boulevard to assist with the investigation by conducting crowd control, detaining subjects, locating and interviewing witnesses, and securing evidence. At the time of this press release, no suspects were in custody. The investigation is considered gang related and ongoing. The police department is asking for the publics help with this investigation. If anyone has any information about this incident, please call the police department at (805) 897-2300.