Dec
23
TRAIN VERSUS PEDESTRIAN COLLISION: Man Hit While Walking Dogs
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–12/22/2009–A 26-year-old Santa Barbara man is in critical condition after being hit by a train today at 2:01 p.m. The victim, identified as Micah Paul Ross, is being treated at Cottage Hospital Intensive Care Unit for severe injuries to his pelvis region. The incident location was the railroad tracks, approximately 100 yards south of the Las Positas Overcrossing. The train was a Southbound passenger train. The primary witness was the train engineer. He reported that the train was traveling at 63 MPH. Without any warning, the train operator saw Ross cross the tracks immediately in front of the train, from north to south. Ross held two medium sized pit-bull mix dogs on 6 foot leashes. The engineer had no time so sound a warning before Ross was hit. The two dogs were not injured and remained at the scene. City Animal Control has taken custody of the dogs. Ross’ mother has been notified of the incident. Following the collision, the train was delayed at the scene for about an hour. The train configuration was that the engine was at the rear. The engineer commented that because of this, the noise from the approaching train would be quieter than otherwise expected. Also, the ambient sound of the adjacent freeway would make hearing the train more difficult. SBPD cautions everyone that the land adjacent to the railroad tracks is private property. The public is warned to stay away from railroad property to avoid tragedies like this incident.
Dec
23
SANTA BARBARA, CA–12/22/2009–This past week, Santa Barbara Police Officers again paid extra attention to removing impaired drivers from our community. Our goal is to prevent impaired drivers from playing “The Grinch” this holiday season by harming themselves, others, or causing property damage.
On 12/16 at 9:50 p.m., Officer Beutel, who works Drinking Driver Enforcement, stopped Jose Antonio Velasquez, age 26, in his 2006 Chrysler 300, at 300 E. Cabrillo Blvd for expired registration. Velasquez was arrested for DUI and driving on a suspended license.
On 12/16 at 11:25 p.m., Officer Beutel stopped Erin Beverly Goetz, age 18, in her 1993 Plymouth, at 200 E. Haley Street, for defective taillights. Goetz was arrested for DUI and possession of an opened 1.75 liter bottle of vodka. There were 4 passengers in her vehicle.
On 12/18 at 12:30 a.m., Officer Tonello stopped Timothy Joseph Beatty, age 22, in his 1996 Saturn, at 3800 State Street, for driving with his headlights off. Beatty was arrested for DUI.
On 12/18 at 1:30 a.m., Officer Palka was on-foot at 1st W. Ortega Street. His attention was drawn to a 1990 Mercedes that was aggressively honking its horn at a taxi driver parked in a driveway. The taxi driver moved out of the way, and the Mercedes partially pulled in the driveway as to block a lane of traffic. When other taxi drivers arrived to pick up fares, the Mercedes continued aggressively honking at them to get out of the way. Officer Palka determined the honking was excessive and in violation of the vehicle code. He contacted the driver, John Frederick Robinson, age 19, who presented counterfeit identification that indicated he was 21 years old. The ruse did not fool Officer Palka, who arrested Robinson for DUI and possession of false identification.
On 12/18 at 10:35 p.m., Officer Beutel spotted a 1997 Honda drive S/B at 300 State Street at an unsafe speed. As she followed the vehicle, the driver made 2 abrupt turns before parking in a deserted lot at the deadend of Helena Street. The driver, David Salcedo jr., age 28, immediately exited the vehicle and quickly walked away leaving 2 female passengers behind. He refused to stop until Officer Beutel threatened to use her Taser weapon. Other officers stood by until the Field Sobriety tests were completed. Salcedo was arrested for DUI.
On 12/19 at 1:45 a.m., Officer Beutel saw a 2009 Toyota pickup speed up Chapala Street, and make several unsafe lane changes in traffic. She stopped Christopher Brian Bartl, age 31 at 800 Chapala St. and arrested him for DUI.
On 12/19 at 2:15 a.m., citizens called 9-1-1 to report a collision in the 900 block of Olive Street. Officers found a large pickup had crashed into a parked vehicle and then into a retaining wall. The driver left his disabled truck on the sidewalk and fled. Officer Lazarus checked the area and found Leo Downey, age 49, hunkered down in a darkened driveway. He had the truck keys in his pocket and admitted being the driver. He claimed that “falling asleep” caused the crash. He was arrested for DUI and Hit and Run.
On 12/19 at 9:05 p.m., Officer Beutel stopped a 1999 Mazda at 300 N. Milpas Street for rolling through a stop sign at Nopal/Haley Street, and then a red light at Haley/Milpas Street. Another vehicle on Milpas Street had to brake and swerve to avoid a collision. The driver, Hugo Alberto Pineda, age 31 was arrested for DUI.
On 12/20 at 12:10 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped Jose Manuel Zamudio-Arraiga, age 25, in his 1997 Honda, for driving the wrong way on 1st W. Gutierrez Street. Zamudio-Arraiga was arrested for DUI.
On 12/20 at 1:30 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped Adrienne Pearl Porter, age 26, in her 2007 BMW, at 3200 State Street after seeing her weave and swerve for two blocks. Porter was arrested for DUI.
On 12/20 at 3:50 a.m., a citizen called to report a possibly unsafe/impaired driver in a Honda Odyssey last seen in a San Roque neighborhood. Officer Benson spotted the vehicle and stopped it at 3700 State Street. The driver, Tracie Lynne Steele, age 38 was arrested for DUI.
On 12/20 at 6:00 p.m., Officer Ahrens saw a motorcyclist riding without a helmet. He stopped Shelby Catherine Brady, age 37, at 200 W. De La Guerra Street, and arrested her for DUI, unlicensed driver, and no insurance.
On 12/20 at 10:00 p.m., Officers Nelson and Tonello were on-foot at 1st W. Gutierrez Street when they saw the driver of a 2003 Audi stop in the middle of the street and chat with some pedestrians. The officers shined their flashlight at the driver as a message to move along. The vehicle remained stopped in the street so the officers contacted the driver, Jess Albert Garcia, age 31. Garcia was arrested for DUI.
On 12/21 at 11:20 p.m., Officer Kerr responded to 3700 State Street on a call of a traffic collision. He determined that a 2002 Chrysler minivan had rear-ended another vehicle. Officer Kerr arrested the driver of the Chrysler, Kalyan Singh Katwal, age 41 for DUI.
Dec
23
WEEKEND WRAP-UP: Assaults, Disturbances, Vandalism and Auto Theft
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–12/21/2009–Santa Barbara Police Officers again stayed busy this weekend on a variety of incidents including: Assaults, disturbances, vandalism, and a stolen vehicle case.
On 12/19 at 1:20 a.m., Officers Benson and Epstein were in front of La Rumba nightclub at 3435 State Street. They saw the doormen escort several men outside for causing a disturbance inside the club. One man, Lidio Esteban Oliva Montes, age 26, assaulted a doorman by throwing elbows. As the officers made contact, Montes assaulted one of them by throwing more elbows. The officers arrested Montes for battery on an officer, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.
On 12/19 at 1:35 p.m., Officers Burleigh and Payne conducted a walk-through premise check at Pershing Park, at 23 Castillo Street. The officers were increasing their presence due to a disturbance reported earlier in the day. Amongst a group gathered in the park were three men on parole. All three had been drinking, which was in direct violation of their parole terms. Arrested for Parole Violation were: Larry Phillip Hernandez, age 45; Paul Reuben Martinez, age 44; and Robert Raseta, age 47.
On 12/20 at 1:50 a.m., Officers Inglehart and Tonello were on-foot behind the Wildcat nightclub, 15 W. Ortega Street. As they approached a group, the saw Aleksey Antonov, age 22, commit a sexual battery against a woman. It turned out that Antonov?s friends had been taunting the woman?s boyfriend just prior to the sexual battery. Antonov was booked at County Jail.
On 12/20 at 8:30 p.m., Officer Burgard responded to call of a fire adjacent to the apartment building at 617 Garden Street. Residents, awakened to the smell of smoke, found a homeless man named Curtis Thurmond Hill, age 44 tucked in a planter next to a wooden fence, passed out on a homemade bed of cardboard and blankets. Next to Hill was a burning sleeping bag, fully ablaze. The residents were concerned for Hill?s safety and believed the fence might catch fire. One resident called 9-1-1 and a second tried to wake Hill up and get him to safety. It was difficult to wake Hill due to his apparent intoxication. Once Hill was a safe distance from the fire, a third citizen doused the flames with a fire extinguisher. The fire department arrived to ensure all was safe. Hill woke up angry and threatening; he cursed at and pushed around his rescuers. Hill told police he accidently started the fire with a cigarette, but believed (mistakenly) to have put it out before falling asleep. Hill said he drank half a 750 ml bottle of vodka just prior to falling asleep. Hill was arrested for battery, illegal lodging, and a warrant stemming from a charge of possession of open container of alcohol.
On 12/20 at 10:10 p.m., residents living in the 200 block of Oceano heard loud voices in the street: One man was telling others to not break into any more cars because it was too noisy. A male resident went outside and stood in the shadows to investigate. He saw a man on the West Campus area of SBCC hurl a piece of asphalt at a classroom window and smash it. As the suspect ran back to Oceano, the male resident tackled him and held him for police. He has been identified as: Jordan Lee Ekola, age 18, who also lives in an apartment in the 200 block of Oceano. Ekola was booked for a felony count of vandalism. Note that SBCC West Campus classroom windows have been vandalized three times in recent weeks.
On 12/20 at 10:30 p.m., Officer Eccles noticed two suspicious people in a Chevy Pickup. He followed the vehicle into a dead-end parking lot in the 1700 block of State Street. A check on the license plate revealed the vehicle was stolen out of Woodland, CA. Aided by other officers, he checked on the now unoccupied stolen truck. Parked next to it was a motor home. Officers knocked at the door and, after one hour?s hesitation, the occupants came out. One of them, Heather Michelle Pike, age 27 was listed as the suspect in the original vehicle theft case. In her possession were stolen credit cards belonging to the vehicle owner. She was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property. The other subject, a 43-year-old man was released.
Dec
17
DUI ROUND-UP: And Related Offenses
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–12/15/2009–Below is the Santa Barbara Police Department?s DUI enforcement activity this past week:
On 12/10 at 8:30 a.m., Officer Sathre assisted SB District Attorney Investigators with a warrant service at a residence in the 1200 block of Calle Cerrito. They arrested Steven Drake Lotton, age 44, for warrants including one stemming from a prior DUI and driving on a suspended license case.
On 12/11 at 3:10 a.m., Officers Smit and Cipres responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the 1300 block of Bath Street. The man causing the disturbance was gone, but minutes later returned driving a black Ford Taurus. The officers arrested the driver, Juan Castro Rosales, age 39 for DUI.
On 12/11 at 12:20 p.m. Officer B. Larson responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of South Milpas Street involving several people drinking alcohol. He arrested John Vincent Donahue, age 47, for a DUI warrant out of Los Angeles.
On 12/11 at 5:20 p.m., Officers Merrett and Venable investigated a head-on collision between two vehicles in the 700 block of Alston Road. Their investigation determined that a GMC Sonoma had crossed over the center line and struck a Kia Sportage. Officer Merrett arrested the driver of the GMC, Jose Antonio Santana Alvarez, age 31, for DUI and unlicensed driver. A charge of possession of counterfeit government identification was added after a bogus Social Security card was found in his wallet.
On 12/12 at 3:35 a.m., Officer Beutel, who works Drinking Driver enforcement stopped Stephanie Christine Fuchs, age 28, in her Lexus RX330, at 200 State Street for expired registration. She was arrested for DUI. There was one passenger in the vehicle.
On 12/12 at 7:30 a.m., Officer Beltran responded to a traffic collision at Calle Real and Hope Ave. A vehicle had crashed into a fire hydrant, snapping it off at the base. A plume of water soared 50-60 feet in the air. The vehicle fled the area, leaving the front bumper and license plate at the scene. Further analysis determined that the vehicle had been traveling N/B on Hwy 101 and took the Hope Street off-ramp. The vehicle sideswiped the concrete guard rail, and clipped a metal street light. The vehicle continued a quarter-mile up Hope Street, where it hit the hydrant. Officers Beltran and Gaston responded to the address of the registered owner in the 3800 block of La Cumbre Hills Lane. A trail of automotive fluids led to a closed garage. The officers contacted the resident, Michael John Zaharias, age 43. He was arrested for DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On12/12 at 8:10 p.m., Officer Ragsdale stopped Lisa Kimberlee Walker, age 24, in her Toyota Tacoma pickup for running the stop sign at Las Positas and Cliff Drive. Walker was arrested for DUI.
On 12/13 at 12:45 a.m., Officer Beutel saw a BMW 530i speeding north at 600 block of Chapala Street. It was traveling an estimated 41 mph in a 30 zone in heavy rain and reduced visibility. She arrested the driver, David Hoover Hefferman, age 52, for DUI. There was one passenger in the vehicle.
On 12/13 at 2:30 a.m., Officers Gonzalez and Hollis saw a Chrysler swerve into a Dodge Durango parked at 1200 Chino Street. The impact pushed the Durango up on the curb. The investigation determined that the Chrysler had hit two other parked vehicles up the street before the collision they witnessed. The driver, Christina Marie Spurlock, age 45 was arrested for DUI and no insurance.
On 12/13 at 10:50 p.m., Officer Merrett was working at a DUI checkpoint at 2900 Las Positas Rd. He stopped John Robert Riesebeck, age 23 in his Ford Focus. Riesebeck displayed symptoms of alcohol consumption and was arrested for DUI.
On12/13 at 11:20 p.m., Officer Katsapis stopped Raul Ivan Aguirre, age 27, at 400 N. Milpas Street, for riding his bicycle without a light. Aguirre was then arrested for a warrant stemming from a prior DUI incident. In Aguirre?s pocket was a Marlboro box containing 14 small plastic bindles. 10 of them field-tested for Methamphetamine and 4 for Cocaine. He was also charged with possession of drugs for sale.
On 12/14 at 6:15 p.m., Officer T. Johnson responded to a call of a hit-and-run that occurred at State and Anapamu Street. The caller was following the suspect vehicle S/B on State Street at speeds of 50 mph. The suspect vehicle would not pull over despite the caller honking her horn and flashing her lights. At State and Mason Street, the suspect pulled over and quickly left on foot. Officer Johnson towed the Volvo as evidence. Inside the vehicle was a baggie of suspected Hashish. Later, at 9:05 p.m., the owner of the Volvo, Dawn Farber-Shapiro, age 45, called to report her vehicle stolen. Officer Johnson investigated. He determined that Farber-Shapiro had been the driver involved in the collision who fled the scene. Farber-Shapiro was arrested for possession of the Hashish; a complaint will be sought charging her with hit-and-run.
Dec
15
ARRESTS IN ROBBERY CASES: Three in Custody, Loaded Gun Recovered
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–12/14/2009–Santa Barbara Police have made arrests in two recent robbery incidents. One robbery was completed and one was an attempted robbery:
On 12/10 at 10:09 p.m., a robbery was reported at La Bamba Market, 235 W. Micheltorena Street. A lone suspect entered the market, pointed a silver colored revolver at the male clerk and stated: “Give me all your money.” The clerk, who happened to be counting money, handed over a large handful of one-dollar bills. The suspect took the money and fled westbound on Micheltorena Street. Despite the appearance of the thick stack of cash, the loss only amounted to $100. The store’s video surveillance system showed the suspect committing the robbery. Police officers viewed the video and identified the suspect as Jose Luis Hernandez, age 26. On 12/11 at 9:45 a.m., a detective spotted Hernandez driving a Ford Explorer into the underground parking lot of Ralph’s grocery store at 100 W. Carrillo Street. Detectives arrested Hernandez near the underground elevators without incident. Accompanying the Hernandez was his girlfriend Janet Salcedo, age 20, and a 6-month old infant. Detectives searched Hernandez’s residence located in the 1700 block of San Pascual St. They found a stainless steel, loaded .357 magnum revolver, evidence of drug use, and clothing matching that worn during the robbery. The revolver was reported stolen in March 2009. Hernandez was arrested for Armed Robbery with a handgun, possession of stolen property, burglary, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. Salcedo was arrested for Violation of Probation. The infant was released to a family member.
On 12/12 at 7:40 p.m., a man walked into the MacDonald’s Restaurant at 29 N. Milpas Street. His hand was in his pocket as though simulating a firearm. He approached a female clerk and said: “Give me all the money or I will shoot you and everyone behind you.” The frightened clerk ran to the back area of the restaurant. The suspect then left the restaurant without obtaining any money. Police 911 Dispatch was called and a description provided. Officer Washington spotted Brett Paulsen, age 42, who matched the description, near the Milpas Street roundabout. He was uncooperative, reaching into his waistband as though retrieving a weapon. He was arrested and no weapon was found. Three separate witnesses identified Paulsen as the suspect. Paulsen was brought to SBPD for further investigation. While in a locked interview room, Paulsen picked up a chair and smashed it repeatedly at the heavy security door. When officers tried to calm him down, Paulsen charged an officer, throwing punches. He was subdued by three officers, then treated and released from Cottage Hospital for a minor injury. Officer Rhyne booked Paulsen for attempted robbery and battery on a police officer.
Dec
11
SANTA BARBARA, CA–12/10/2009–As mentioned in today?s Press Release from Santa Barbara Police Traffic Sergeant Noel Rivas, SBPD will conduct DUI checkpoints in the City this Sunday, December 13th, from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. We hope that our community?s drivers will be responsible and choose to not drink and drive. For those who choose poorly, SBPD will place great emphasis on DUI enforcement designed to preserve highway safety. Below are recent arrests for DUI:
On 12/1/09 at 1:20 p.m., Officer Rauch contacted Raymond Dunham, age 47, in City Lot 5 at 1200 Chapala Street. Dunham had locked the keys in his Kia and was using a coat hanger to attempt entry. Dunham was arrested for a warrant stemming from a prior DUI arrest.
On 12/2 at 5:15 p.m., a citizen called police to report a possible drunk driver was now inside the Mesa Caf? at 1927 Cliff Drive. The vehicle was a white Ford pickup, and the driver was identified by name: Lee Rowland. The caller was a former roommate who reportedly was bothered that Rowland would drink and drive. Officer T. Johnson obtained a photograph of Rowland, determined that his license was suspended, and found him inside the caf?. Rowland tried identifying himself with his brother?s Alaskan driver?s license. However, Officer Johnson had his photo and was not fooled. Rowland displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for DUI.
On 12/2 at 9:05 p.m., Officer Burleigh stopped Christina Cary Meadows, age 48, in her 1992 Toyota Camry for running a red light at State Street and Ontare Road at 35 mph. Her two children were passengers. Meadows was arrested for DUI.
On 12/3 at 12:10 p.m., officers responded to 1200 Punta Gorda Street on a call of a possible drunk driver. Officer Hall found Edmundo Mancilla Olea, age 31, standing next to his running Ford pickup. Olea was agitated, cussing and swinging his arms around. Numerous neighbors identified Olea as driving around the trailer park. Reportedly, he frequently drinks and drives. This time, two neighbors blocked the exits with their vehicles to keep Olea from driving out on the streets. Olea was arrested for DUI and driving on a suspended license.
On 12/3 at 11:15 p.m., Officer Beutel, whose primary assignment is Drinking Driver Enforcement stopped Grant Hamilton Pantling, age 18, in his 2000 VW, at 300 W. Haley Street because a headlight was out. Pantling smelled heavily of burnt Marijuana and displayed symptoms of being under the influence. He was arrested for DUI Marijuana and driving on a suspended license.
On 12/3 at 11:30 p.m., Officer Cipres responded to a traffic collision at 2200 Las Positas. A 1991 Olds Cutlass had left the roadway and crashed into some trees. The driver, Timothy A. Grucza, age 24 was arrested for DUI.
On 12/4 at 2:00 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped Jack Vincent Moreci, age 23, in his 1998 Saturn at 800 Chapala Street for speeding and unsafe lane changes. Moreci was arrested for DUI.
On 12/4 at 2:20 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped Tanya Marie Atelian, age 39, in her 1997 Toyota Camry for driving the wrong way down 1000 Bath Street. Other drivers had to pull over to avoid a collision. Atelian displayed symptoms of being under the influence of prescription medication. She was arrested for DUI.
On 12/4 at 3:25 p.m., 9-1-1 Dispatch received a call of a citizen following a hit-and-run suspect westbound on Cabrillo Blvd. The accident occurred at the Hwy 101 S/B Milpas Street off-ramp when the suspect rear-ended the victim?s vehicle and then fled the scene. The citizen lost sight of the suspect vehicle in a Westside neighborhood. Officer Merrett investigated and located the suspect vehicle parked at 400 Rancheria Street. The front bumper was missing and no one was nearby. Officer Merritt then found the missing bumper in a driveway of a residence in the 500 block of Coronel Street. He determined that Leah Arlene Rodriguez, age 24 had been the driver. She was arrested for DUI, Hit-and-Run, Probation Violation stemming from a prior DUI case, and no insurance.
On 12/4 at 10:50 p.m., Sergeant C. Hunt stopped Salomon Felipe Garnica, age 21, in his 1998 Ford Escort, at 3500 State Street for expired registration and unsafe lane change. Garnica was arrested for DUI. There were three passengers in the car: One passenger was cited for possession of an opened beer.
On 12/4 at 10:55 p.m., Officer A. Hill stopped Edgar Alejandro Carbajal Barrera, age 40, at 300 W. Montecito Street for unsafe lane changes. He was arrested for DUI, Unlicensed Driver, and No Insurance.
On 12/6 at 11:20 a.m., a citizen called to report a possible drunk driver at the Airport parking lot. Airport patrol arrived and detained William Hampton Eastwood, age 63, in a parking lot popular with people who watch airplanes take off and land. Officer Hettema arrived and arrested Eastwood for DUI.
On 12/6 at 6:00 p.m., police responded to City Lot 3, at 1000 Chapala Street on a call of a driver who broke through the arm of the Kiosk gate. Officer Ahrens arrested Todd Douglas Knudsen, age 46 for DUI.
On 12/7 at 9:50 a.m., police responded to 1000 block of Quinientos Street after two City of SB employees reported a possible drunk driver hit a parked vehicle. Officer J. Thompson arrived and found William James Valkonis, age 37 asleep in the driver?s seat of his 1993 Jeep Cherokee. His vehicle had moderate front end damage from rear-ending the other vehicle. Valkonis was arrested for DUI.
Dec
5
FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: Pedestrian Hit at Shoreline Dr and Loma Alta
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–On Friday, December 4, 2009 at approximately 0805 hours, Janette Zuzalek (56 yrs) and her mother were on foot and left the south east curb at Loma Alta and Shoreline Dr walking northbound. They were approximately 2 to 3 feet outside of the crosswalk, but they had established their position in the roadway thus giving them the right-of-way.
Sean Cornelis (20 yrs) was driving a white 1999 Ford F-150 4×4 and made a left turn from southbound on Loma Alta to eastbound Shoreline Dr. He stated the sun was in his eyes and he suddenly felt a “thump” and saw Zuzalek’s mother standing in front his truck. He immediately stopped and got out of his truck to see Zuzalek lying on the roadway.
Several bystanders and witnesses stopped to assist, including off-duty medical personnel. Zuzalek had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. CPR was started and then handed off to AMR. Zuzalek was rushed to the hospital with a severe skull fracture and no brain activity. At 1213 hours, Zuzalek was declared “brain dead” and was being kept alive by a ventilator until family members arrived from out of town.
The Santa Barbara Police Department Collision Reconstruction Team responded to assist in the investigation and at this time, it is unknown if any charges will be filed.
Dec
1
DUI ROUND-UP: Nine Arrested for DUI
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–11/30/2009–Despite most people enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend safely and appropriately, Santa Barbara Police Officers sought to arrest DUI drivers and prevent possibly tragic consequences. In several cases, citizens calling 911 helped SBPD get DUI drivers off the streets.
On 11/25 at 5:00 p.m., a citizen at Arroyo Burro Beach saw a man stumbling in the parking lot while holding a beer. The man got into a Toyota 4-Runner and drove away, driving over a curb in the process. The citizen called 911 and followed the driver to Solano Court, where he parked and went into a residence. Officer T. Johnson arrived, contacted the citizen, then went to the residence and contacted the driver, William Churchill Smith, age 52. Smith displayed symptoms of alcohol consumption and was arrested for DUI.
On 11/26 at 2:30 p.m., a citizen called police to report a suspected drunk driver in a red Nissan 240SX drive east on De La Guerra Street. Officer Smit spotted the vehicle and made a traffic stop at De La Guerra and Nopal Street. Officer Smit arrested the driver, David Joseph Smith, age 38 for DUI and driving with an open container in the vehicle.
On 11/27 at 2:25 a.m., Officer Cipres spotted a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am drive down 600 San Pascual at an estimated 40mph in a 25 zone. He stopped the vehicle at 400 W. Montecito Street and arrested the driver, John Eric Page, age 28 for DUI.
On 11/27 at 3:15 p.m., Officers DeJohn and Payne were on downtown bicycle patrol. They saw Manuel Leyva, age 43, in his 2009 Nissan, parked at 1st E. Sola Street. While making a cell-phone call, Leyva drove away from the curb. He spotted the two officers, stopped, and dropped the phone to his lap. Leyva showed symptoms of being under the influence of an illegal central nervous system stimulant. He was arrested and the vehicle searched. A syringe and suspected Heroin was found. Leyva was arrested for: Being a drug addict who drives while under the influence, possession of Heroin, possession of the syringe, and Parole Violation.
On 11/28 at 12:45 a.m., Officer Beutel, who works DUI enforcement, saw a black 2009 Mini Cooper driving eastbound from 1st E. Ortega Street at high speed. The Mini bottomed out at Anacapa Street, and continued eastbound. At Garden Street, the Mini ran the stop sign at approximately 30 mph, bottomed out again, and abruptly stopped in the middle of the street with the horn blaring. The driver, Jocelyn Harris Smith, age 23, got out and walked to the sidewalk. Officer Beutel stopped Smith and determined that the second bottoming-out was severe enough to deploy the driver?s side airbag. Smith was arrested for DUI.
On 11/28 at 2:00 a.m., a citizen called 911 to report a possible DUI driver in a black Mercedes traveling up Garden from Haley Street. As a BOL was being issued, Officer Cipres saw the Mercedes C30 weaving its way up 900 Garden Street and cross over the center line. Officer Cipres stopped the vehicle. The driver, Chamil Niroshan Hettiarachchi, age 32 was arrested for DUI.
On 11/28 at 8:40 p.m., Officer Corbett investigated a disturbance and contacted Melinda Jo Stewart, age 51, at her residence in the 800 block of Santa Barbara Street. He noticed she had been drinking. Ten minutes later, Officer Corbett left to contact the other half of the disturbance, who lived in a residence in the 100 block of W. Yanonali Street. As Officer Corbett approached he overheard the resident on the phone loudly saying: “Don’t you drive! Do not get in that car!” Suspecting the caller was speaking to Stewart, Officer Corbett broadcast a BOL for her as a possible DUI driver. He gave Stewart’s description including that she wore jeans and a peach colored sweater. Minutes later, Officer Beutel saw Stewart walking away from 800 Santa Barbara Street, matching the description exactly. Stewart was having a heated discussion on a cell-phone. In an effort to get Stewart to consider her actions, Officer Beutel drove alongside her and even waved at her. Stewart walked directly to City Parking Lot 9 at 500 Anacapa Street, got into her Red Audi, and drove out of the lot. Officer Beutel stopped her for making a right-of-way violation. Stewart, whose license was suspended, presented a false driver’s license. Officer Corbett arrived to assist, and confirmed Stewart’s true identity. Stewart was arrested for DUI, driving on a suspended license, and illegally impersonating another person.
On 11/29 at 1:00 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped a 2005 Ford Mustang for weaving from the 800 to 1200 block of Santa Barbara Street. She arrested the driver, Colin Ryan Biggs, age 25, for DUI.
On 11/29 at 1:45, Officer Beutel spotted a 2002 Jaguar driving the wrong way up Anacapa Street from Cota Street. When she turned on the red lights, the Jaguar stopped and backed up into a parking lot. A group of people in the lot shouted for the Jaguar to stop. The Jaguar continued backing until it collided with a parked taxi. Officer Beutel arrested the driver, Edouard R. Giessinger, age 50 for DUI.