Nov
12
SANTA BARBARA, CA - On 11/11/08 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Santa Barbara Police Department Detectives arrested Susan Mangan at her home in Oakland, California.
The investigation began in Santa Barbara back in 1998 when officers responded to a call of a home invasion robbery here in the city. As the investigation unfolded, the home was identified as a house of prostitution. Identified as one of the persons in-charge of running the house of prostitution was Susan Mangan, 48 years of age at the time. An arrest warrant was issued for Susan Mangan in 1998 charging her with Pimping, Pandering, and Keeping a House of Ill Fame. She fled the city and had been on the run ever since.
The Santa Barbara Police Department and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office continued their investigation as to the whereabouts of Mangan throughout the years. Mangan had been able to elude authorities until the summer of 2008. Information was developed that indicated that Mangan was currently living on the 700 block of 43rd Street in Oakland under several AKA’s. Detectives updated the warrant that had been issued back in 1998 for Mangan. The update included an increase on the bail to $2,000,000. A search warrant was also obtained for Mangan?s home. Santa Barbara Police Department Detectives went to Oakland and on 11/11/08 at approximately 6:00 p.m. took Mangan into custody as she exited her home.
Mangan, age 58, was transported back to Santa Barbara and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on the warrant charging her with Pimping, Pandering, and Keeping a House of Ill Fame. The investigation is continuing as to possible charges of identity theft. For further information on this arrest/investigation call Sergeant Ed Olsen, Crimes Against Persons Detective Sergeant at (805) 897-2347.
Nov
4
Overpass Standoff Ends in Arrest
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SANTA BARBARA, CA - 11/3/2008 - At 7:10 A.M. Santa Barbara Police Officers responded to a report of a suspicious subject in military fatigues on top of the La Cumbre Rd/U.S. 101 freeway overpass. The California Highway Patrol received similar calls and officers were dispatched. Upon arrival, the officers found one individual dressed in military fatigues and wearing a ski mask. The male subject was waving an American flag in one hand and holding a handgun in the other. The suspect, later identified as Edward Van Tassel, 28 years old, of Santa Barbara was yelling complaints about the current Iraq War, the current treatment of veterans and expressing his hope that Barack Obama wins the presidential election. Officers immediately cordoned off the area. With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, traffic on both Northbound and Southbound lanes of U.S. 101 were stopped.
The Santa Barbara Police SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Response Teams were activated and responded. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s SWAT Team responded with an armored vehicle to assist in negotiations. Crisis negotiators engaged Van Tassel in negotiations in which he demanded to obtain an Obama presidential campaign sign. Van Tassel complied with the directions to lay down the firearm in return for the sign. The sign was delivered to Van Tassel by the Santa Barbara County Bomb Squad robot. Officers were able to retrieve the firearm while Van Tassel hung the American Flag and the Obama sign on the overpass chain link fence. Van Tassel surrendered to authorities at approximately 10:35 A.M. There were no injuries reported during the incident. There were no residential evacuations made during the event however, adjacent business were closed for an extended period.
Van Tassel was determined to be a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Iraq. The Santa Barbara County Bomb Squad examined the duffle bag and a small compact car that Van Tassel used during the incident. The bag was found to contain personal belongings and paperwork. No additional weapons were found. The investigation also revealed that Van Tassel was responsible for an unreported incident that occurred on October 31, 2008 at approximately 6:00 A.M. at KJEE, a local radio station. During this incident an employee found an individual dressed in brown fatigues, wearing a ski mask, and in possession of a handgun on the property. It is unknown at this time how Van Tassel gained access to KJEE property.
During today’s investigation, a second subject identified as Aaron Jacob Levy, 33 years old, of Santa Barbara was located and identified as a person who had driven Van Tassel to the location. Levy accompanied investigators to the station for further interviews. Through the investigation detectives determined that Levy was a co-conspirator to Van Tassel’s actions. Levy accompanied Van Tassel to the overpass in order to accomplish the task.
Edward Van Tassel was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of: possession of a concealed firearm; possession of a dangerous weapon; Conspiracy; resist or delay arrest; brandishing a firearm towards police officers; disturbing the peace; wearing a mask for the commission of a crime and permitting another person to operate a vehicle without a valid license. He was also booked on charges of burglary, possession of a concealed firearm, and brandishing a firearm for the October 31st incident at KJEE.
Aaron Jacob Levy was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of: conspiracy to commit the brandishing a firearm towards police officers, disturbing the peace and possession of a dangerous weapon; and driving with a suspended license. This investigation is ongoing.
Oct
28
SANTA BARBARA, CA - On 10/27/08, at approximately 6:00 p.m., two uniformed unarmed Santa Barbara County Probation Officers went to 214 South Canada Street #53 to conduct a routine probation search of probationer Yvonne Mata, age 30. Once probation officers arrived they were met by Mata outside of the trailer. Mata and probation officers went inside the trailer and probation officers began their routine search. During their search, probation officers found some marijuana, and a locked metal box. Probation officers asked Mata to unlock the box. Mata told probation officers that she did not have the key and that her boyfriend, Daniel Aguilar, age 34, had it. Aguilar arrived during the search and consented to the box being opened. Probation officers opened the box and realized it contained cocaine.
Aguilar immediately retrieved a handgun from his person and held probation officers at gunpoint inside the trailer. Aguilar demanded that Mata and he not be taken to jail. Probation officers kept talking to Aguilar as he continued to point the handgun at them and subsequently convinced him to leave. Prior to leaving Aguilar took the cocaine from the metal box. Probation officers immediately called the police department for assistance. Officers responded and surrounded the trailer park. The Santa Barbara Police Department SWAT Team also responded to the scene and conducted a search of the area, with the assistance of the SBSO air unit and armored rescue vehicle. Aguilar was not located.
Mata was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale and Violation of Probation. Aguilar is wanted on a felony warrant for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, False Imprisonment, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, and Felon in Possession of a Handgun. Bail on the warrant is $500,000. Aguilar is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone having information on Aguilar’s whereabouts is asked to contact authorities immediately.
Oct
23
SANTA BARBARA, CA - On 10/23/08 at approximately 12:38 a.m., officers responded to a call of a found body on the 1300 block of Kowalski Avenue. Upon arrival officers found the decedent, a 29 year old female, lying in the street on the 1300 block of Kowalski Avenue with a stab wound to the neck. Officers initiated their investigation and it subsequently led them to 1310 Kowalski Avenue. Detectives were also notified of the investigation. Detectives contacted the residents of the home and advised them of the investigation. The residents of the home agreed to accompany detectives to the station for further investigation. One of the residents of 1310 Kowalski Avenue was Garren Musser, age 24. Once at the station Musser provided information to detectives indicating that he was responsible for the homicide. Musser was arrested for Homicide. The investigation is still continuing. The name of the victim is Lisa Marie Zazueta, age 29, from Santa Barbara. Musser and Zazueta were involved in a dating relationship. This incident escalated from an argument concerning the relationship.
Oct
23
SANTA BARBARA, CA - 10/22/2008 - The Santa Barbara Police Department has been awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Alcohol Beverage Control to help curb underage drinking. The grant money will help fund operations such as the “Minor Decoy Program” which targets liquor establishments that sell alcohol to minors. The grant money will also help fund educational programs such as the “Youth Offenders Program” through Zona Seca in which Officers speak with minors regarding the dangerous consequences of using alcohol, drugs, and false identification.
The City of Santa Barbara has approximately 530 establishments which are licensed to serve alcohol. During 2007, the Santa Barbara Police Department made 5,278 arrests for alcohol related crimes. These crimes included 936 arrests for public intoxication, 444 bookings at the sobering center, 509 D.U.I. arrests, 2,951 open container of alcohol arrests, 23 minor in a bar arrests, 210 minor in possession of alcohol arrests, 189 arrests for minors using false identification and 16 arrests for selling/furnishing alcohol to a minor.
In the past, liquor establishments caught serving alcohol to minors faced fines or suspension of their license. Minors caught drinking alcohol or using drugs also faced prosecution and enrollment in treatment programs. If you need any additional information regarding the Alcohol Beverage Control grant, please contact Sgt. Aaron Baker at 897-2322 or email abaker@sbpd.com.
Oct
18
Operation Gator Roll
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SANTA BARBARA, CA - 10/17/2008 - The following are the number of arrests from October 15, 2008. The list breaks down those individuals arrested on federal charges and those arrested on state charges. The last paragraph lists the number of arrests that happened prior to October 15, 2008 but are also part of Operation Gator Roll.
THE FOLLOWING SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES:
Defendants arrested October 15, 2008.
ISMAEL PARRA, 23
JOSE GONZALEZ, JR., 20
MIGUEL PARRA, 20,
ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ, 20
FRANCISCO ANTHONY ALCARAZ, 21
FERNANDO MARCO ALCARAZ, 18
HUMBERTO OLVERA, 24
PEDRO RENE GARCIA, 27
ALFREDO ORNELAS, 23
REYNALDO FERER-DOROTEO, 36
IVAN GARCIA, 18
Defendants being sought by authorities
ROBERTO AREBALO AMADOR, 20
JESSE GARZA PEREZ, 40
Defendants arrested on October 15, 2008 already in local jails or state prison:
BRIAN JASSO ORTIZ, 22
OCTAVIO MARIN, 20
JOSE CAMPOVERDE, 20
JESUS MARTINEZ, 18
JOSHUA ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ, 22
SEBASTIAN MARTINEZ COVARRUBIAS, 22
ROBERT MARTINEZ, 22
CARL SAMUEL FLORES, 26
IVAN QUEZADA, 23
OMAR RAMOS, 18
ARIEL RANGEL COLON, JR., 21
XAVIER JESUS ALVAREZ, 25
MARTIN MENDEZ, 24
ELSON LEYVA TAPIA 25
ENRIQUE MORAN, 21
EDWIN ORLANDO BAY, 20
JOSE PEDRO ZAVALA, 22
THE FOLLOWING SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED ON STATE CHARGES:
Defendants arrested October 15, 2008
JACKIE ARREVALO, 21
CHRISTIAN BOTELLO, 28
EDGAR CORDOVA, 23
HUGO DIAZ, 26
RICHARD GARCIA, 19
JOSE GONZALEZ SR., 58
GIOVANNI HUERTA, 19
JOSE HUERTA, 45
DIEGO LOPEZ, 18
BIANCA MACIAS, 18
RAYMOND MACIAS, 29
PAUL MARTINEZ, 46
JACOB MEDINA, 19
PATRICIA MORENO, 19
OMAR PALENCIA, 26
JOAQUIN PEREZ JR., 18
MICHAEL REGALADO, 26
FLAVIO RIOS, 18
STEVEN SALAZAR, 25
TANYA SIERRA, 22
ERIC TAPIA, 18
MARTIN TRUJILLO, 19
EDUARDO ZERMENO, 19
DANIEL PAZ, 35
RUDY YBARRA, 28
PAULINO POMMIER, 23
CHRISTOPHER MANSON, 18
***PLUS FOUR JUVENILES
GRAND TOTAL ARRESTED OCTOBER 15, 2008 IS 59.
NOTE:
This investigation has been ongoing for the past year and prior to yesterday?s operation has resulted in approximately 160 State arrests. The charges on these arrests include but are not limited to: Homicide, Attempt Homicide, Conspiracy, Narcotic Violations, Witness Intimidation, Assaults with Deadly Weapons, and Participation in a Criminal Street Gang.
Sep
30
Two Shot in Gang Fight
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On 09/26/08 at approximately 11:25 p.m., officers responded to a fight call involving numerous individuals in the area of De La Vina Street and West Gutierrez Street. As officers were responding to the area they were also informed that multiple suspected gunshots had been heard. Officers arrived in the area of De La Vina Street and Gutierrez Street and located several shell casings. As officers were on-scene, dispatch received a call from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital that two individuals had arrived at the hospital with suspected gunshot wounds. Additional officers responded to the hospital and contacted a 28 year old male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen and an 18 year old male victim suffering from a wound to his nose. Initially it was believed that the injury was possibly a knife wound but it was later determined to be a gunshot wound.
Based on the investigation, it was determined that both victims had been involved in the fight at De La Vina Street and West Gutierrez Street. During the fight one of the participants produced a firearm and shots were fired. Officers continued their investigation and subsequently contacted Sebastian Covarrubias, 22 years of age, at his residence located in the 400 block of De La Vina St. Officers and Detectives conducted a search of the residence and the area and recovered what is commonly known as a “Molotov Cocktail.” Also recovered was the firearm suspected of being used in this incident. The incident is being investigated as gang related.
Sebastian Covarrubias was arrested and booked for possession of an explosive device. The investigation has been on-going since Friday and detectives are following up on any possible leads. If anyone has information about this incident, they are asked to contact the Investigative Division at (805) 897-2335.
Sep
30
Stabbing at Alice Keck Park
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On 9/23/08 at 9:00 p.m., officers responded to a stabbing that had just occurred at Alice Keck Park. When officers arrived they found a group of people who were with the 20 year old male victim. The victim had been stabbed in the left side of his abdomen. The victim and his friends said that they had an argument with two unknown suspects and when the victim challenged the suspect to fight, the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim. The victim was transported to the hospital where he underwent surgery and was stabilized. He was subsequently admitted into Cottage Hospital.
During the investigation, the suspect and three friends called 911 and reported that they had been in a fight earlier that night at Alice Keck Park. When the officers arrived at their location at De La Vina and Mission St., they contacted the subjects including Fernando Aldapa, a 25 year old Santa Barbara resident. Aldapa told the officers that he had been attacked by a group of people he had met that night at the park. Further investigation revealed that Aldapa was responsible for the victim’s injuries. The knife was recovered by officers and Aldapa was arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for Assault With a Deadly Weapon.
Sep
30
On 9/22/08 at 4:00 p.m., officers responded to an assault that had just occurred at 1100 block of Garden St. Upon arrival officers learned that the 39 year old male victim was confronted by the suspect, Gregory Ward (45 yrs old) for an outstanding debt. The victim did not have the money and Ward subsequently forced his way into the victim?s residence. Ward then struck the victim several times on the head and once on the arm with a hammer. Ward fled the scene and the victim was transported to the hospital for his injuries. A records check of Ward revealed that he was currently on parole for assault with a deadly weapon.
On 9/23/08, Officers spotted Ward in the 200 block of N. Quarantina. The officers contacted Ward who had altered his appearance by shaving his head. He also gave the officers a false name upon being contacted. The officers arrested him for the attack which had occurred the previous day. Ward was booked at the jail for Assault With a Deadly Weapon, False Information to a Peace Officer, and Parole Violation.
Sep
24
Stabbing Suspect Arrested
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SANTA BARBARA, CA - 9/23/2008 - On 9/14/08 at 9:53 p.m. dispatch received a call of a stabbing victim who drove himself to Cottage Hospital from the Fairway market, 128 S. Salinas St. Officers responded to the hospital and the 23 year old male victim told Officers that he was parked in his vehicle with his two sisters near the Fairway market when he was approached by a Hispanic male adult approximately 20 years old. The suspect was heard yelling out a gang name at the victim. As the victim exited his vehicle, he thought the suspect punched him in the stomach. However, he realized moments later he had been stabbed in the abdomen. The suspect fled the scene at which time the victim drove himself to Cottage Hospital. The victim suffered a single stab wound to the abdomen area. Investigation was forwarded to detectives for further investigation.
On 09/22/08, at approximately 9:45 a.m., detectives served a search warrant on the 200 block of S. Salinas St. The home was the residence of Jeovany Jose Rodriguez, age 24. Based on their investigation, Rodriguez, a documented gang member, was identified as the suspect in the stabbing that took place on 09/14/08 that sent a 23 year old male victim to the hospital. The investigation also revealed that the stabbing actually took place to the front of Mi Fiesta Market 410 S. Salinas Street.
As detectives conducted the search warrant, they developed information that Rodriguez was currently at a job site on the 600 block of State Street. Detectives and Officers responded to the 600 block of State Street and located Rodriguez. Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident. Rodriguez was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for Assault With a Deadly Weapon and Active Participation in a Criminal Street Gang.