Jan
26
SANTA BARBARA, CA–1/25/2010–Three homeless people, two men and a woman, were found dead this weekend, all in unrelated circumstances.
On 1/23 at 7:19 a.m. an officer was flagged down about a person lying down in a driveway off the 300 block of Castillo Street. The officer discovered the body of a 43 year old homeless woman who was known to frequent this area. There were no obvious signs of foul play. As part of the investigation, police contacted residents, business owners, and others who knew the woman. Her name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
On 1/23 at 9:20 a.m. Police and Fire Rescue responded to the Milpas Street Underpass on a call of an unresponsive male, possibly not breathing. They found the body of a 43-year-old homeless man, accompanied by three other homeless people. There was no trauma or signs of foul play. The group of four had been sheltering under the overpass for several days due to the rain. Reportedly, the decedent had some illegally obtained methadone pills. The night before he died, the decedent shared his methadone pills and they all drank beer. They went to sleep, but in the morning the decedent was found not breathing. His name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
On 1/24 at 12:20 a.m. two officers were conducting a premise check at the Milpas Street Underpass. They checked on one man who was fine. They checked the other and found him obviously deceased. His companion had discovered him unresponsive at 11:00 p.m., but thought him merely intoxicated due to his alcohol abuse; four times in the past week the decedent had been arrested or cited at this location for alcohol offenses. In his possession was a variety of different pills, not in prescription bottles; possibly not legally obtained. The decedent is believed to be 52-years-old; his name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. Note: the decedent’s companion told police that on 1/20, his backpack with 150 prescription methadone pills was stolen from a local homeless shelter. He heard about the earlier death at 9:20 this morning at this very same location. He believed that the man who died in this morning’s incident had consumed his stolen methadone pills.
In each of these cases, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Coroner took custody of the body. The Coroner will conduct toxicological screening and determine the cause of death.
Jan
19
Double Pedestrian Fatal Traffic Collision: Suspect Arrested
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–On Saturday January 16, 2009 at approximately 7:38 pm, Santa Barbara Police received a call of a traffic collision with two pedestrians in the roadway Las Positas Rd near Earl Warren Showground. Upon arrival, emergency personnel determined the two pedestrians were victims of a hit and run collision. The male and female were pronounced deceased from their injuries.
A witness, who immediately came upon the collision, saw a silver or gray Chevrolet van leaving the scene, first at a slow rate of speed and then it quickly sped up. The witness was able to get the license plate number.
An investigation quickly determined the driver of the van was a parolee and registered sex offender. The subject, Jon Steffen Peters (46 yrs) is required to wear a GPS monitoring device. With the assistance of local parole officers, police were able to use the GPS system and Peters was located and taken into custody after dropping the van off at a different location. The van was found at a location which Peters gave as a secondary address to sheriff?s deputies the previous evening. The van had significant damage which was consistent with the evidence left at the scene.
Peters was transported to the police station where he subsequently admitted to leaving the scene of the fatal traffic collision. He was booked at Santa Barbara Co. Jail for felony hit and run, violation of parole. There is no evidence to show that Peters was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
At the time of this news release, the next of kin for both victims had not been notified. The Santa Barbara Police Department Collision Reconstruction Team responded to assist in the investigation and will continue to investigate to determine if any additional charges against Peters will be made.
Jan
19
SANTA BARBARA, CA–1/15/2010–From January 6th to January 15th, Santa Barbara Police arrested 17 more drivers for suspicion of driving under the influence. Fortunately, only one incident involved a significant traffic collision. In three other cases, motorists were driving the wrong-way on one-way streets when they were stopped.
On 1/6 at 11:40 p.m., Officer Klug was breaking up a loud party on Oceano Drive. He spotted Michael James Manning, age 20, driving away in a black SUV, and knew from prior contacts that his license was suspended. He broadcast this information and Officer Washington stopped Manning on Cliff Drive. He was arrested for DUI, driving on a suspended license, probation violation stemming from a prior DUI, “Zero-tolerance” violation for being a minor driving with any alcohol in his system, and no insurance.
On 1/7 at 12:24 a.m., Officer Eccles stopped Emmanuel Herrera, age 22, in his Honda Civic for driving the wrong way on Gutierrez Street. Herrera was arrested for DUI.
On 1/7 at 11:20 p.m., Officer Beutel, who works DUI Enforcement, stopped Meagan Elizabeth Patterson, age 24, in her 2002 VW Jetta, at 300 E. De La Guerra Street, for speeding and rolling through two downtown stop signs. Patterson was arrested for DUI. There was a passenger in the vehicle.
On 1/8 at 1:00 a.m., Sergeant Ella stopped Anna Noelani Moea Bates, age 22, at 1st W. Gutierrez Street, for speeding and weaving downtown. Bates was arrested for DUI.
On 1/8 at 3:35 a.m., Officer Beutel, medics, and Fire Rescue responded to a call of an unconscious woman behind the wheel of a Lincoln Navigator stopped at 1085 Coast Village Road with the engine running. The vehicle had jumped a curb and was resting against a palm tree and shrubbery. The driver, Bobbie Kathleen Mecay, age 24, was passed out. It took a few minutes of pounding on the windows and shining bright lights to awaken her. Mecay’s only impairment appeared to be alcohol consumption; she was arrested for DUI.
On 1/8 at 2:25 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped Bradley Michael Mandas, age 25, in his Chevy Tahoe, at 500 E. De La Guerra Street, for a brake light out, and because a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. Mandas was arrested for DUI and no insurance.
On 1/9 at 12:50 a.m., Sergeant Ella stopped a 1999 Toyota Corolla at 400 N. Alisos Street for unsafe speed and expired registration. The driver, Amanda Ashley Valenzuela, age 21, was arrested for DUI. Of the three passengers, two were arrested for narcotic related violations. The third was cited for curfew and released to a family friend.
On 1/9 at 11:57 p.m., Officer Beutel stopped Roberto Navarro Rodriguez at 200 E. Haley Street for a minor equipment violation. Rodriguez was arrested for DUI and unlicensed driver.
On 1/10 at 1:47 a.m., Officer O. Gonzalez spotted a 2004 BMW M3 speeding down Haley from Anacapa Street. The vehicle made a couple turns before driving the wrong way up Anacapa from Gutierrez Street. The driver, Lawrence Macy Michelson, age 23, was arrested for DUI. There were two passengers in the vehicle.
On 1/10 at 3:15 a.m., Officer Lazarus stopped Luis Andres Garcia, age 21, at 1900 State Street for a brake light out. Garcia was arrested for DUI: a combination of alcohol and marijuana. There was a passenger in the vehicle.
On 1/13 at 11:45 a.m., Officer Thompson and Paramedics responded to State and Hitchcock on a call of a possible DUI lying on the ground. Paramedics arrived first and contacted Kenneth Charles Greenberg, age 54, who appeared extremely intoxicated. Witnesses reported him driving a large truck which stalled in the street. Reportedly, Greenberg got out of the truck, fell down, and was rolling around on the ground before a citizen helped him to his feet. Greenberg was arrested for DUI; his breath test result was an amazing .37, more than four times the legal limit of .08.
On 1/13 at 8:00 p.m., Officer Palka saw a motorcyclist stopped at a red light at State and Las Positas Road. The motorcyclist had trouble keeping his vehicle upright. When the light turned red, the motorcyclist was swerving badly, nearly stalling and falling down. He stopped in the parking lot of Don’s John bar, allowing the motorcycle to fall on its side. The operator, Thomas Franklin Kirkman, age 48, was arrested for DUI, unlicensed driver, and no insurance.
On 1/13 at 10:23 p.m., Sergeant Ella stopped Jeffrey Alan Mira, age 39, in his 1992 T-Bird at 1500 De La Vina Street for a brake light out. Mira displayed symptoms of narcotics use and a syringe was found in the vehicle. Mira was arrested for DUI drugs, illegal possession of the syringe, and parole violation. There was a passenger in the vehicle.
On 1/13/ at 11:00 p.m., Officer O. Gonzalez spotted a 2001 Nissan Altima on Micheltorena Street, signaling to turn left the wrong way up Castillo Street. Officer Gonzalez flashed his lights, but the vehicle made the turn anyway. Officer Gonzalez made a traffic stop and arrested the driver, Ann Elizabeth Talbott, age 43, for DUI.
On 1/13 at 11:20 p.m., Officer Kerr was patrolling upper State Street when he saw a 2002 Honda Accord suddenly swerve off the roadway to the shoulder, then swerve back to the traffic lane. He stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, Ryan Jon Morgan, age 29, who explained that he had dropped a hot taco in his lap. Morgan was arrested for DUI.
On 1/14 at 1:14 a.m., Officer Beutel assisted in the investigation of a traffic collision on Carrillo Hill near Vista del Pueblo. The driver, Jeffery Austin Tharp, age 31, had crashed his 2001 Toyota pickup into two parked vehicles. His truck sustained major damage including the right front tire completely sheared off. The parked vehicles sustained moderate-to-major damage. Tharp explained that he was driving down Carrillo Hill when he tried to retrieve his cell-phone from the floorboards. He then crashed into the parked vehicles. Tharp was arrested for DUI alcohol possibly combined with Soma and marijuana.
On 1/15 at 12:01 a.m., Officer Beutel stopped Brian Anthony Ellis, age 23, in his 2007 Scion, at 200 Garden Street for unsafe turn and speeding. He was arrested for DUI alcohol, possibly combined with marijuana, and for no insurance.
Jan
12
MARIJUANA DISPENSARY SHUT DOWN: “Humanity” Dispensary Operated Illegally
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SANTA BARBARA, CA–1/11/2010–For the past few months, the Santa Barbara Police Department has received information that the marijuana dispensary named Humanity, located at 715 Bond Avenue, was operating in violation of the Compassionate Use Act. Information sources included complaints and public comments made at the Marijuana Ordinance hearings held at City Council Chambers. SBPD Narcotic detectives initiated a thorough investigation and made undercover purchases by an individual who presented a counterfeit medical marijuana recommendation. ID was never checked and the medical marijuana recommendation never verified. Judge Ochoa authorized search and arrest warrants for the business, six employees and their residences.
On January 7th, 2010 Santa Barbara Police Detectives executed 7 search warrants in Santa Barbara City, Goleta, Santa Ynez, Lompoc and Santa Maria–5 residences and 2 businesses were searched. SBPD was assisted by: The Santa Barbara Sheriff?s Department, the Santa Barbara Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Santa Barbara District Attorney?s Office. Police recovered 63 lbs of marijuana buried in the backyard of the Santa Ynez address. They seized $12,000 in cash, 281 doses of unprescribed anabolic steroids and 150 growing marijuana plants.
In addition to this case, detectives investigated an assault with a deadly weapon case involving two current dispensary employees against a former employee. The current employees were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment; see listed charges below. Arrested on January 7th were:
Brandon Timothy Fox, age 33; for: conspiracy to possess and sell marijuana; bail $100,000.
Timothy Newton Kurriss, age 33; for: conspiracy to possess and sell marijuana; bail $100,000.
Caroline Emmanuelle Kurriss, age 29; for: conspiracy to possess and sell marijuana; bail $100,000.
Raul Izaak Adame, age 33; for: conspiracy to possess and sell marijuana, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and possession of unprescribed steroids; bail $100,000.
Jose Juan Adame, age 35; for: conspiracy to possess and sell marijuana, possession of un-prescribed hydrocodone, and concentrated marijuana (Hashish); bail $100,000.
Brennen Carlton Baptista, age 33, for: conspiracy to possess and sell marijuana, assault with a deadly weapon, and false imprisonment, bail $100,000.
Brandon Fox is the owner of Humanity Dispensary. In addition to the listed seizure of cash assets, detectives gained court authorization to freeze $25,000 in bank assets. Other financial documents and transaction records are being examined to determine if the source was illegal profiteering from Humanity Dispensary.
Jan
12
SANTA BARBARA, CA–1/11/2010–With much discussion on today’s youth focused on gangs, crime, and other negative concerns, the latest DARE Graduation offers a refreshing perspective that most kids do make positive life choices. The Santa Barbara Police Department is proud to announce that the latest Dare Graduation will be held Wednesday, January 13th, at 9:30 a.m., at the Arlington Theater, 1317 State Street. The keynote speaker will be “Retro Bill”, the official DARE-America Safety Buddy. In attendance will be 350 fifth and sixth grade students from our local schools. In addition to education about drug and alcohol use, the DARE curriculum teaches personal responsibility and making good choices. The acronym DARE stands for: Drug Abuse Resistance Education. To provide a good role model and promote a positive view of law enforcement, Officer Anita Chamberlain personally conducted the training and interacted with each student. Experience has shown that years later, many DARE graduates will say the program helped them avoid negative influences in life.
As a graduation requirement, each student writes an essay explaining what they have learned. The essays are judged and winners are chosen from each class and school. The winners are:
Cleveland School Winner: Lizbeth Ibarra
Class Winner: Leslie Negrete
El Montecito School Winner: Kate Mascari
Class Winner: Chris Hartman
Franklin School Winner: Ivan Rios
Class Winner: Diana Juarez
Class Winner: Micaela McGee
Class Winner: Athziry Mejia
Hope School Winner: Emma Habecker
Class Winner: Kyra Glaus
Class Winner: Grace Quittner
Monroe School Winner: Dane Pederson
Class Winner: Zoe Krieger
Class Winner: Beau Lettieri
Class Winner: Aibhlin Ryan
Monte Vista School: Alex Lewis
Class Winner: Sophia Bordofsky
Class Winner: Isabelle Orlosky
Santa Barbara Community
Academy Winner: Cinthia Lopez
Class Winner: Nikki Razo
The Santa Barbara High School Jazz Band provides music to this free public event. For those uncertain about the future of today’s youth, attending the one-hour DARE graduation provides an uplifting glimpse that the future remains bright!