Oct
27
SANTA BARBARA, CA–On Tuesday October 10/27/09 at 0142 hours, SBPD received a call of an unknown-if-injury traffic collision, heard only, in the area of 3600 Foothill Rd. Upon arrival, responding Emergency Medical Personnel and officers found a blue 2003 Ford Ranger pick-up on its right side, resting against an Edison pole. The apparent sole occupant and driver, Stephen Frederic Guillermo (23 yrs) was trapped in the driver’s seat and had to be extricated. He was transported to Cottage Hospital where he was rushed into the CCU surgery for treatment of his injuries, which included a brain bleed. Initially, his prognosis was not good; however hospital staff now expects Guillermo to make a full recovery. Guillermo’s parents were notified and transported to Cottage Hospital.
The investigation determined Guillermo was traveling eastbound Foothill Rd at a high rate of speed and drifted to the right, striking a parked vehicle. That vehicle was knocked into a front yard and Guillermo?s pick-up rolled several times before coming to rest against the Edison pole. The distance from point of impact to point of rest for Guillermo?s pick-up was approximately 153 feet. Both vehicles appear to be totaled.
The Santa Barbara Police Department Collision Reconstruction Team responded to assist in the investigation. In addition to speed, alcohol is also being investigated as a factor in this collision.
This is the second collision in as many weeks to involve alcohol and speed. The first one involved a vehicle over the side at 900 APS. That investigation is still continuing.
Oct
27
SANTA BARBARA, CA–10/26/2009–Here are some arrest incidents handled this weekend by Santa Barbara Police Officers:
On 10/23/09 at 7:50 p.m., Office Cipres investigated a burglary at the State Street Hotel, 121 State Street. A suspect entered the room via a second story window accessible from the fire escape catwalk. Stolen were cash, Arzengo brand socks, Nike shirts, Zorba brand underwear, Yachtsman brand pants, and a bottle of Ferrari cologne. A second burglary was discovered to a room down the hall. This room was ransacked and several pair of woman’s underwear was stolen. The point of entry was the same: A second story window accessed by the catwalk. Officer Cipres contacted a guest in an adjoining room who refused to open the door or provide a statement. While Officer Cipres continued his investigation, he heard loud rustling noises coming from beneath the catwalk. He looked out the window to see a man running through a vacant lot toward State Street. The officer gave chase, aided by a passerby who saw the suspect hiding in some bushes. With the help of responding officers, police arrested Hector Burciaga, age 42. Burciaga was the hotel guest who refused to speak with Officer Cipres. Instead, he had jumped out the window to flee. When arrested, Burciaga was wearing Zorba underwear belonging to the original victim. Inside Burciaga?s room was the remaining stolen property including: Arzengo socks, Nike shirts, Zorba underwear, Yachtsman pants, and Ferrari cologne. Burciaga was booked for burglary.
On 10/24/09 at 4:30 p.m., Officer Kattai was on patrol and came upon a fight in progress at 700 W. Micheltorena Street. One combatant had no identification and gave a false name. His true identity was determined: Manuel Lopez, age 50. Lopez gave a false name because he had a warrant for probation violation, bail $10,000. He was arrested for the warrant and falsely identifying himself.
On 10/24/09 at 5:30 p.m., Officer Merrett contacted Heath Brayton Dinius, age 36 at 500 E. Yanonali Street in connection with 3 separate thefts at Macy’s Store, 701 State Street. On 3 occasions in the past 3 weeks a suspect had stolen an expensive coat from the display and walked out without paying. Dinius appeared to match the suspect from the store’s video surveillance. When shown the video, Dinius admitted to the thefts. He explained a need to keep warm and regular use of crack cocaine.
On 10/25/09 at 4:50 p.m., store security at Nordstroms detained Juan Jesus Sandoval, age 22 for theft. Sandoval was suspected of a theft committed on 10/23/09, when he took two pairs of woman’s jeans valued at $149 apiece. On that occasion Sandoval escaped before security could detain him. When Sandoval returned today, the security officer recognized him and started following him. Sandoval was carrying a large empty bag. He took a pair of $185 men’s jeans, placed them in the bag, and left without paying. The store security agent contacted him outside. Sandoval dropped the bag and tried to flee, but was tackled by store security. Sandoval was arrested for the shoplift burglary and committing the theft with prior theft convictions.
On 10/26/09 at 12:25 a.m., police responded to an auto burglary that just occurred at 100 W. De La Guerra Street. The suspect threw a boulder through the window to gain entry. A witness reported that earlier that night, a man in a red shirt knocked at his door needing jumper cables. When told none were available, the suspect said he would break into a car to get some. Minutes later, the witness heard the smashing sound. He ran out to see the same man in the red shirt standing next to the burgled car. Police were called and the suspect fled. In checking the area, Officer Washington spotted a man in a red shirt run from the shadows at 300 W. De La Guerra Street. Together with Officer Martinez they located Thomas Charles Schott, age 28, wearing a red shirt and hiding beneath a parked car. In his pockets were prescription medications stolen from the burglarized Honda. Schott was booked for auto burglary.
Oct
23
GANG MEMBER W/ KNIVES ARRESTED: Walks into SBPD W/ Weapons Cache
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
SANTA BARBARA, CA–10/23/2009–Yesterday, 10/22/09, Santa Barbara Police detectives arrested a man after he walked into the police department carrying 4 concealed knives. The story begins on 10/8/09 when Detectives Kushner and Siegel contacted several gang members and/or associates at the Eastside Neighborhood Park, 1200 E. Yanonali Street. One man, Oscar Bello Torres, age 19, was cited for possession of an opened beer. Torres had an iPod in his possession, but was vague about how he came to possess it. Torres consented to the detectives taking temporary custody of the iPod to determine if it was stolen. After Torres walked away, the detectives located a large 12-inch knife partially underneath a vehicle Torres had been standing next to. The detectives seized the knife for safe keeping. Back at SBPD, the iPod was traced as stolen on 9/20/09 from a business in Summerland. The large knife was examined by SBPD Forensic Technician Mike Ullemeyer. He recovered a fingerprint that matched to Torres’ left hand.
On 10/22/09 at 3:40 p.m., Torres came into SBPD to claim the iPod. Detective Kushner found that Torres was carrying 4 more knives hidden under his shirt. All four were double-edged and designed for throwing or stabbing. Torres had modified a leather sheath to carry the weapons in his front waistband. Under questioning, Torres admitted ownership of the original knife, and believing the iPod was stolen when he possessed it. Torres was arrested for: Two counts of possession of illegal knife(s), possession of stolen property and committing these crimes in furtherance of a known street gang.
Oct
23
EASTSIDE INCIDENTS LEAVE ONE IN HOSPITAL: Condition Upgraded to Serious
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
SANTA BARBARA, CA–10/22/2009–Yesterday afternoon, two separate incidents on the Eastside left one man hospitalized. At 3:42 p.m. SBPD Dispatch received calls of an injured bicyclist down at Carpinteria and Soledad Streets. Police and paramedics found a 19-year-old male with serious head injuries. It appeared that his injuries were due in part to falling off the bicycle and hitting his head on the pavement. Detectives are unsure if an assault or confrontation contributed to the fall. The victim was admitted to Cottage Hospital ICU in critical condition. As of today, his condition has been upgraded to serious but stable.
Ten minutes after this call, at 3:52 p.m., police responded to an assault incident at Milpas St. and Bond Avenue. Two males, aged 16-years, were assaulted by occupants of a white, import, 4-door sedan. The male occupants swung a club and threw a glass object at the victims. One was treated and released at Cottage Hospital for a minor injury. Detectives have no information that these two victims are gang members or associates. The motive for this incident is unknown at this time.
Anyone with information about these two incidents is urged to contact Detective Andy Feller at 897-2335 or the Watch Commander at 897-2355.
Oct
22
TRAFFIC COLLISIONS SNARL CLIFF DRIVE: Drivers Blame Sun, Police Blame Drivers
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
SANTA BARBARA, CA – 10/21/2009 – Traffic on Cliff Drive was snarled this morning due to several traffic collisions that occurred minutes apart. At 7:40 a.m. several vehicles on Cliff Drive were stopped for a red light at Mesa Lane. A 23-year-old man driving a red Nissan Exterra east at approximately 40 mph claimed the sun was in his eyes and he couldn?t see the stopped traffic. The Exterra rear-ended a white mini-van driven by a 53-yer-old woman. The impact caused a chain reaction involving two other stopped vehicles. The Exterra had moderate damage, the van had major, and the other two vehicles had minor-to-moderate damage. No one required medical treatment.
Minutes later, while traffic was snarled due to the collision, a 20-year-old woman driving a 1996 Saturn east on Cliff Drive rear ended an 83-year-old male in his 1997 Saturn stopped near Mesa Lane. The second Saturn was pushed into a 1996 Chevy Camaro. The drivers of the two Saturn vehicles were treated at Cottage Hospital for minor injuries.
Just minutes after this collision, a 29-year-old male driving a Piaggio motor-scooter east on Cliff Drive rear ended a 1988 Dodge Aires that was stopped due to the traffic accidents. The motor-scooter rider flew over his handlebars and crashed head-first onto the roofline of the Dodge. Fortunately, the rider wore a sturdy helmet, and, amazingly, suffered only scraped knees and complaint of minor pain.
Reportedly, a fourth collision occurred resulting in very minor damage: the drivers exchanged information and no police report was taken. In each of these cases, the driver causing the collision blamed the sun for shining in their eyes. However, the police investigations determined the primary collision factor was driving at an unsafe speed for conditions. SBPD Traffic Sergeant Noel Rivas cautioned drivers to be aware that the sun, like other weather conditions, can greatly reduce visibility. Drivers are required to be able to safely stop their vehicle within the distance they can see potential hazards.
Oct
22
WEEKEND WRAP-UP: Thefts and Parole Violations Dominate Lineup
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
SANTA BARBARA, CA – 10/20/2009 – Attached is a synopsis of cases handled by the Santa Barbara Police Department the past several days:
On 10/15/09 at 12:00, Detective Beecher arrested Marcellia Maria Alvarado, age 29 for forgery, burglary, and financial elder abuse. Alvarado is suspected for forging and cashing checks from two victims aged 77 and 79. The confirmed loss is $1,600. Alvarado was an unlicensed care provider.
On 10/15/09 at 3:00 p.m., Officers Reyes and Palka arrested Rosendo Roy Garcia, age 21 for parole violation. This stemmed from an incident on 10/10/09 at 10:40 p.m. when the officers drove up on a disturbance at 500 Anacapa Street: Three men including Rosendo Roy Garcia, age 21 were yelling and flashing gang signs at two men in a pickup truck. Garcia fled, but was spotted and arrested just a few days later.
On 10/15/09 at 4:15 p.m., Nordstrom Store Security detained Daniel Todd Stewart, age 38, for stealing a $70 pair of Armani sunglasses. Stewart protested and threatened to sue. Officer Ortega arrived and viewed the store security video. The video clearly showed Stewart secreting the sunglasses in a bag and walking out of the store. Stewart was arrested for felony theft w/ prior theft convictions and parole violation.
On 10/15/09 at 5:40 p.m., a citizen flagged a passing police car to report a disturbance at 700 W. Arrellaga Street. Officers spotted Gary Tayloe, age 42 run down a driveway and into a house. Officers determined that Tayloe was just about to start fighting with some other men before police arrived. Officer J. Williams located Tayloe, who had been drinking. When asked if he, like most every other parolee, had been ordered to abstain from alcohol, Tayloe replied that there was no such restriction. However, a list of parole terms and conditions in Tayloe’s back pocket included an order to abstain from alcohol. Tayloe was arrested for parole violation.
On 10/16/09 at 4:30 p.m., store employees at Mountain Air Sports, 14 State Street, called police to report a shoplifter being detained. An employee saw David James Keith, age 50 stuff a sleeping pad under his shirt. This was noticeable despite Keith?s 6-foot 2-inch, 240 lb frame. Two employees detained Keith after he walked out without paying. In addition to the bulky pad, Keith had two pairs of pants hidden under his shirt as well. Officer Inglehart arrested Keith for felony theft with prior theft convictions.
On 10/16/09 at 6:50 p.m., officers responded to a group disturbing near the playground at Chase Palm Park. One individual was cited for having an open container of alcohol. Another, Dawn Joanne Dean, age 37 was arrested for a warrant charging violation of probation stemming from drug use. It was noted that Dean appeared very intoxicated.
On 10/17/09 at 7:30 a.m., a homeless man reported being attacked by a homeless woman armed with a screwdriver at the parking lot area of 1st Garden Street. The woman accused him of damaging her bicycle and repeatedly swung a screwdriver at him. While backing up to dodge the thrusts, a screwdriver thrust punctured his left palm. A witness reported the victim did nothing to merit the attack. Officer Ruiz arrested Marjorie Mary Heimer, age 65 for assault with a deadly weapon.
On 10/17/09 at 12:40 p.m., an employee of Scolari’s Store at 222 N. Milpas Street reported a shoplifting that just occurred: A shirtless man fled with a red shopping basket full of food and liquor. Officer Gaston found Jeremy Greg Martinez, age 37, tucked behind businesses a block away. Martinez, shirtless, was eating chicken from the red shopping basket. The stolen victuals totaled $88. Martinez was arrested for burglary-shoplift and felony theft w/ prior theft convictions.
On 10/17/09 at 5:00 p.m., store security at Scolari’s 222 N. Milpas Street, detained Dean Franklin Oliver, age 58 for stealing a 3-pack of 24 oz. beer. Oliver had been previously arrested for theft from Scolari’s last March. Officer Merrett arrested Oliver for shoplift-burglary and a warrant stemming from a drug violation.
On 10/17/09 at 8:00 p.m., Eduardo Adrian Mendoza, age 18 and a 16-year-old juvenile went to the Chevron Mini-Mart at 401 W. Montecito Street. As the juvenile stood by the door, Mendoza went straight to the beer cooler, pulled an 18-pack of Modelo, and tried walking out without paying. To his surprise, the door was locked and he could not leave. The clerk, upon spotting Mendoza entering the business, recognized him as committing another “beer-run” theft a week earlier. The clerk locked Mendoza and the juvenile inside the store and called police. Officer Merrett arrived to investigate. Mendoza tried saying he entered to merely purchase a candy bar. The store’s security video clearly showed Mendoza taking the 18-pack of beer from the cooler and trying to open the door. Mendoza was arrested for shoplift-burglary. The juvenile lookout was cited and released.
On 10/18/09 at 6:15 p.m. officers responded to 2024 De La Vina Street on a call of a vandalism that just occurred: A man was using a hammer to break out windows to The Fielding Institute. Officers Ahrens and Burgard found Ronald Gene Stevens, age 57 walking at 1900 Chapala Street with a hammer in his hand. Stevens said he was angry because earlier that morning, someone had pointed a red laser at him. Ten hours later, he returned with the hammer and vandalized the location he thought the laser might have come from. The damage was estimated at several hundred dollars. Stevens was arrested for vandalism. Police found no corroborating connection between Stevens, a laser, or the Fielding Institute premises.
Oct
9
SANTA BARBARA, CA — 10/9/2009 –In addition to all their other duties, police officers respond to situations where people threaten to harm themselves. Most of the time, the call is initiated by a witness or by the suicidal person themself. Occasionally, officers run across these situations on their own initiative.
On 10/7/09 at 8:45 p.m., Officer Rob Castro was driving through City Lot 10, accessed off 1st E. Ortega Street. While looking for possible theft crimes, disturbances or drug use, he was alert to anything that appeared out of the ordinary. On the top level he spotted two young women, ages 21 and 19, seated on the elevated wall that overlooks Ortega Street. Their legs dangled over the edge of the wall toward the concrete sidewalk below. Officer Castro recognized the 21-year-old woman from a prior attempt suicide incident from 9/23/09. In that earlier incident, the woman was standing on the roof of a residential mental health care facility, cutting her wrists with a shard of glass and threatening to jump. Officers “talked” the woman safely down where she received psychiatric counseling.
When Officer Castro asked what they were doing, the women said they were going to jump. Both had razor blades in their hands and the 19-year-old was cutting her wrists. Officer Ahrens arrived to assist. Officer Castro spoke to the 21-year-old, distracting her enough to allow Officer Ahrens to approach. The 6-foot 6-inch Officer Ahrens grabbed and pulled her to safety. The 19-year-old woman then voluntarily stepped down to safety. Both women were taken to Cottage Hospital for psychiatric counseling. In addition to the razor in her hand, the 21-year-old had razors hidden in her shoe, her undergarments and her pocket.
Oct
8
MID-WEEK WRAPUP–Arrests Charges Include Theft, Assault and Disturbance
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
SANTA BARBARA, CA – 10/7/2009 – Here is a sample of recent arrests and activity by Santa Barbara Police officers and detectives:
On October 1st and 3rd, officers checking downtown bars contacted two women using false identification. An 18-year-old pasted her own picture over the photo on a Brazilian ID card. A 19-year-old was using her cousin?s driver?s license. Both were cited and face steep fines.
On 10/2/09, a citizen reported seeing their stolen I-Pod listed for sale on Craig?s List, a popular on-line computer posting. Acting like private citizens, police officers contacted the I-Pod seller, Victor Alfonso Flores, age 18, who had already sold the suspected stolen I-Pod. Flores had another I-Pod, which was also determined to be stolen. Detective Drayton searched the suspect?s residence, in the 100 block of South Kellogg. He found three lap-tops, other expensive electronics, marijuana and suspected psilocybin mushrooms. One of the laptops appeared to belong to a local financial institution. Flores was arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana, and possession of the mushrooms. Detectives are trying to determine the source/origin of all the recovered laptops and electronics.
On 10/3/09, at 4:55 p.m., officers responded to a call of an assault-just-occurred on La Cadena. A 48-year-old woman had been pushed down by a large male acquaintance named Vincent Ruiz, age 45. The woman struck her head on the sidewalk and required medical attention at Cottage Hospital. Ruiz was booked for battery causing serious injury.
On 10/5/09 at 11:15 a.m., police responded to a vandalism that just occurred at Anacapa School, 820 Santa Barbara Street: a man had smashed out a window with his gloved-fist. Witnesses followed the man, who walked away pushing a shopping cart full of possessions. Officer Yee spotted the suspect at Canon Perdido and Anacapa Street. As Officer Yee attempted to make contact, the suspect, IDed as Jack Vega, age 18, advanced toward Yee menacingly. Officer Yee used his Taser Weapon on Vega to only partial effect. Vega turned and ran across the street. He ran directly at a male pedestrian and punched him in the face. Vega ran east on Canon Perdido Street, followed by Officer Yee and the citizen who was punched. As additional officers arrived, Vega ran through the breezeway adjacent to and then into Boarder’s Bookstore. He was tackled by officers at the feet of customers seated at the Boarder?s coffee shop. Vega was arrested for vandalism, battery, and resisting arrest.
On 10/3/09, at 10:40 p.m. police were called to a possible theft in progress at McCormix commercial fuel station on Calle Cesar Chavez. Sgt. Mike McGrew found two men in the process of fueling a 2006 Ford F-350 dual-axle pickup equipped with a hidden 300-gallon auxiliary fuel tank inside the camper bed. Detective Beecher determined the suspects had been using a counterfeit credit card and gift-cards purchased with counterfeit credit cards to make the purchase. The suspects, Alfred Abrahami, age 28, and Norik Ter-Galstanyan, age 44, both from Glendale, were arrested for Credit Card Forgery and Theft.
On 10/5/09 at 2:00 p.m., Officer Reader responded to a man disturbing at Starbucks, 1235 State Street. She found John William Eardley, age 71, yelling and aggressively swinging his fist. Witnesses reported Eardley had threatened several customers/employees. He threw a metal cream dispenser toward an employee’s head. The employee ducked, and the dispenser crashed against the wall. Eardley was arrested for assault and disturbing the peace.
On 9/23/09, a man discovered his Apple laptop stolen from his residence in the 200 blk. of E. Anapamu Street. There was no bona-fide suspect information. On 10/5/09, the victim received an E-Mail from Apple Corporation thanking him for recent repair work at a downtown business that does computer service. The resident reported this news to the police. Detective Drayton?s investigation determined the following: after committing the theft, the suspect brought the lap-top to the business to have the hard-drive wiped clean. The business notified Apple Corporation, who sent E-Mail to the victim because he was still the owner of record. On 10/6/09 at 1:30 p.m., Detective Drayton arrested Slynar Zelee, age 22 for burglary and grand theft. The stolen laptop was recovered from Zelee’s residence. It turned out that Zelee was an acquaintance of the victim’s roommate.
On 10/6/09 at 8:40 p.m., Officer Burleigh stopped Juan Armando Nunez, age 23, at 3800 State Street, for riding a bicycle at night without a light, running a red light, and riding on the sidewalk. Nunez was on probation subject to court-ordered search terms. In Nunez’s backpack was 1/4 ounce of concentrated cannabis, sometimes called hashish. Nunez was arrested for possession of the cannabis and probation violation.