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SANTA BARBARA, CA–February 18th, 2010–Yesterday morning at 7:00 a.m., Santa Barbara Police officers and detectives served search warrants at two marijuana dispensaries located within the City of Santa Barbara. The operation followed a lengthy investigation concerning the dispensaries’ adherence to the provisions of the Compassionate Use Act. Pursuant to Court issued search warrants, police went to:

The Healing Center, at 1437 San Andres Street
Pacific Coast Collective, at 331 N. Milpas Street

The operation began with law enforcement solely having authority to search. However, detectives found evidence that these marijuana dispensaries were operating in violation of the Compassionate Use Act. As such, the dispensaries were operating as illegal marijuana dealers, despite the argument that they sometimes operated as legally required and intended.

The following people were arrested:
Juan Carlos Solis, age 32, owner of the Healing Center; for cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale, and criminal conspiracy.
Sinthia Alba Martinez, age 24, co-operator of the Healing Center; for cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale, and criminal conspiracy.
Charles Jeffrey Restivo, age 31, owner of the Pacific Coast Collective; for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana.

In addition to searching the dispensaries, police served search warrants in the 700 blk. of W. Carrillo Street, 1100 blk. of San Andres Street, and 100 blk. of Ocean View in Carpinteria. These locations were either residences or storage locations used by the parties arrested. Police seized a total of: 45 pounds of marijuana; 12,000 marijuana plants ranging in size from 6 inch seedlings to fully mature 5-foot plants; 1 pounds of concentrated marijuana, also called hashish; and $8,000 in cash. In addition to this operation, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department and Ventura County Combined Agency Taskforce conducted searches at marijuana dispensaries located in Goleta and Summerland, and a residence in Thousand Oaks.

The goal of the Santa Barbara Police Department is not to interfere with legitimate marijuana dispensaries operating within the provisions of the Compassionate Use Act. However, any marijuana dispensary that does not follow the law will be considered an illegal marijuana dealer.

SANTA BARBARA, CA–2/11/2010–Here is a sample of arrest cases handled by Santa Barbara Police officers this week:

On 2/8 at 1:00 a.m., police responded to a residence in the 1500 block of W. Valerio Street on an extortion investigation. A couple in their 60s had received a handwritten note in their mailbox demanding $3,000 cash. In the note, poorly written in Spanish, the suspect claimed membership in a notorious street gang. The note made threats against the couple’s family, specifically mentioning the wife and a grandchild by name. The note said to leave the cash in a specific location at a specific time. Police officers led by Detective Claytor set up a sting operation. Last night at 7:00 p.m., police contacted a man loitering near the drop zone. He denied any involvement in the extortion plot. Police located his 2001 Ford Ranger parked nearby and found evidence that linked the man to the extortion plot. Arrested for extortion and criminal threats was: Alfredo Alvarado Murillo, age 42. He was a former employee of the victims, and in the past had borrowed money from them. Recently, he was turned down for another loan because he never repaid the first one. Detectives have not found any evidence that Murillo is a member of any gang. Detectives believe these types of extortion crimes are underreported in our community. Anyone who has been the victim of a similar crime is urged to contact the Police Department, 897-2350.

On 2/10 at 8:30 a.m., a man living in an upstairs apartment in the 2100 block of De La Vina Street heard the back door to his balcony creaking open. Suspicious, the man checked and found a suspect crouched down on the balcony. The resident tried to grab him, but the suspect leaped over the railing, scampered down to the alley, and fled on foot. Police arrived but did not locate the suspect. As officer Burgard was checking the scene for fingerprints, he saw a man matching the suspect description quickly walk away from a nearby apartment complex. He radioed this update, and Officer Martinez located the suspect a block away. The suspect, Marcos Calzada, age 22, provided both a fake name and an unlikely explanation for being in the area. Further investigation determined that Calzada had an illegal knife in his pocket; a stolen I-Pod, stolen checkbooks, and other stolen property in his backpack. Detectives determined that Calzada had been taking shelter in an unoccupied apartment in the area. Calzada was linked to burglaries in the: 2100 block De La Vina Street, 200 W. Los Olivos Street, and an earlier one in the 500 block of Miramonte. Calzada was booked for three counts of residential burglary, possession of stolen property, illegal lodging, possession of an illegal knife, and falsely identifying himself to police. Calzada’s photo is being withheld pending further investigation.

On 2/10 at 9:00 p.m., Logan James Parkinson, age 18, went into Petrini’s Restaurant at 14 W. Calle Laureles. He loitered near the register for a few seconds before snatching the tip-jar off the counter and running out the door. Two employees gave chase down De La Vina Street to the Ralph’s grocery store parking lot at 2840 De La Vina Street. Despite running full speed, the lanky 6ft 3in, 150 lb Parkinson could not shake his pursuers. Parkinson tried to jump in the passenger door of a waiting black Jeep Cherokee. However, the driver of the Jeep started pulling away, possibly alarmed by the pursuers’ presence. Parkinson slipped to the ground, the tip jar shattered, the Jeep sped away, and the Petrini’s employees held Parkinson down until Officer Lombardo arrived to place him in handcuffs. A crack-pipe and syringe were found in his pockets. $20 in tip money was recovered. Parkinson was booked for: Burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

SANTA BARBARA, CA–February 9th, 2010–On 2/5/10, Santa Barbara Police arrested Glen Mowrer III, age 39, for charges related to marijuana possession. The incident began at 10:30 p.m. when Sergeant Hunt noticed the driver of a Honda Element pull over and contact a suspected street prostitute on E. Gutierrez Street. Moments later when the vehicle pulled away, Sergeant Johnson stopped it for not having a front license plate. Sgt. Johnson contacted the driver and sole occupant Glen Mowrer III, and smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana. A police canine arrived to assist and alerted to marijuana in the rear of the vehicle. Police then recovered three large bags containing more than 20 pounds of marijuana, including the highly potent flower or “bud.” A narcotics detective assisted and determined that Mowrer was in violation of the Compassionate Use Act and on probation out of Siskiyou County. Pursuant to Court authorized terms, police conducted searches at Mowrer’s primary residence and a second residence where he had complete access to the garage. An additional 100 pounds of marijuana was seized. Police also located concentrated cannabis, hash-oil, and 23 live marijuana plants. Glen Mowrer III was booked at County Jail for possession of marijuana for sales and probation violation.

SANTA BARBARA, CA–February 9th, 2010–On three occasions last month, unknown suspects smashed their way into computer lab classrooms at Bishop High School, 4000 La Colina Road. The thefts occurred on the nights of: January 6th, 10th, and 24th. In each case, the suspects climbed a fence, smashed windows to gain entry, and fled before police arrived. Apple I-Mac computers were stolen in the first two cases, but not the third. School officials say the thefts will significantly impact their student’s computer learning skills. Anyone with suspect information is urged to contact Detective John Ingram at 897-2331. Callers may remain anonymous.

SANTA BARBARA, CA–February 4th, 2010–On January 31st at 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a residence on 600 W. Sola Street in regards to a possible child molestation incident that just occurred. Officers contacted a 5-year-old girl and her parents. The suspect was a street vendor who sold fruit and vegetables out of a push-cart in Westside neighborhoods. Officers fanned out and within an hour found the suspect in the 500 block of W. Victoria Street, wearing different clothing. He is identified as: Silvano Rodelas Rojas, age 60, of Los Angeles. According to witnesses, Rojas frequently traveled to Santa Barbara to sell produce out of his cart, and was a known figure in several neighborhoods. The investigation determined that the girl’s father was friendly to Rojas and had spoken with him on many occasions. On this date, Rojas went to their residence, and encountered the girl while the father was inside the residence. Rojas lured the girl to a secluded area in the apartment parking lot, and touched her in inappropriate ways. Just then, the victim’s mother drove home from an errand and witnessed Rojas touching her daughter. Rojas immediately left the scene and the parents called police. When arrested, Rojas had items in his possession that detectives believe were used to lure the victim to the parking lot. A description of these items and Rojas’ photograph are being withheld at this time. Rojas was booked at county jail for Child Molestation and the case is being handled by Deputy District Attorney Mary Barron.

Because Rojas frequently roamed neighborhoods where children lived, detectives are investigating the possibility of similar incidents. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Jose LaTorre, 897-2335.

SANTA BARBARA, CA–February 1st, 2010–A local man is in custody after crashing his vehicle into a police car in an unsuccessful bid to elude capture. This unusual story began after Police Dispatchers began receiving calls of a nude driver cruising San Roque neighborhoods, occasionally getting out and committing lewd acts. At 1:14 p.m. a witness driving at Alamar and Foothill reported that a man was standing in the street, committing a lewd act. The description was that he was completely nude, except for a red ball-cap. The man got into a Green 1995 Geo and drove away. The witness followed, called 9-1-1, and reported the suspect?s direction of travel. When the suspect realized he was being followed he sped up, running red lights and stop-signs. He eluded the witness in the area of Calle Noguera. Police responded to the registered owner?s address; neither the suspect vehicle nor the suspect was there. At 2:45, the suspect was reported to have driven past a day-care center located on 3800 Sunset Avenue. Several more calls came from witnesses in the area of Stacy Lane, Lincolnwood, and La Cumbre Road. Again, the suspect was committing lewd acts upon himself. Officer Washington arrived and spotted the suspect vehicle on La Cumbre Road. He turned on his lights and siren, but the suspect did not yield. The suspect turned onto La Cumbre Hills Road, a short dead-end street. When he reached the cul-de-sac, his escape route was blocked by a police vehicle. He crashed into the police car, backed up, and crashed into a fence. Another police car pulled up to completely seal any exit. Never-the-less, the suspect crashed into another parked car, and attempted to get around the blockade by jumping the curb. As additional officers arrived on-foot, the suspect swerved at them, apparently trying to run them over. The suspect crashed into a third parked vehicle before coming to rest in a planter. The Geo sustained major damage. The suspect was taken into custody, then treated and released at Cottage Hospital for a minor injury. He is identified as Michael Jon Helman, age 47. He was booked at Count Jail for evading arrest amounting to a felony; two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for attempting to run over the officers; felony resisting arrest; possession of cocaine; and parole violation. He is held without bail. Other charges may be pending; the suspect’s photo is being withheld pending further investigation.

SANTA BARBARA, CA–January 29th, 2010–This morning at 6:00 a.m. Santa Barbara Police officers responded to 1023 De La Vina Street to assist the Santa Barbara Fire Department on a structure fire. Upon arrival they found a second story apartment fully engulfed in flames. The unit and contents were a total loss. The exterior and an adjoining apartment unit sustained significant damage. Quick acting Fire fighters prevented the flames from destroying the entire complex.

Fire Department Arson investigators sifted through the ashes of the interior, assisted by SBPD detectives. Evidence of illegal activity quickly surfaced: Approximately one pound of marijuana was found inside a locked fire proof safe, and 30-40 cans of butane were scattered throughout the residence. Investigators determined the early morning blaze was the direct result of an illegal marijuana conversion operation: the residents were using highly flammable Butane to convert marijuana from leaf form to concentrated oil.

Based on the investigation it appears that these individuals were producing concentrated marijuana oil to be sold to a marijuana dispensary. The concentrated oil is used in the production of edible marijuana products. Arrested and booked at jail were: Luis Antonio Murillo Aguirre, age 30; and Krista Marie Gary age 23; for unlawful possession of marijuana for sale, unlawful conversion of marijuana to a concentrated form, and conspiracy to commit these crimes.

Given the fire?s rapid growth and the dangerous presence of butane cans, the Fire Department deserves special thanks for protecting the surrounding neighborhood.