Santa Barbara police blotter

DAILY SOUND STAFF REPORT

Authorities arrested a Macy’s employee for illegally transferring money to her Macy’s debit card, dealt with a disorderly man standing in the street and challenging passing cars to a fight, and booked an intoxicated man for throwing punches at a local bar.

On 12/14 at 9:38 p.m., Santa Barbara police arrived at Macy’s, 701 State St., after receiving a call from store security. Upon arrival, a security officer told police a Macy’s employee had been fraudulently transferring money to her own Macy’s debit card. Between November 10 and December 4, store security uncovered 13 transactions totaling $1,900. The employee, a 24-year-old Santa Barbara woman, admitted to police she paid an accomplice $20 to put larger amounts, usually around $100, on her Macy’s card, which she then used to purchase items from the store. Officers arrested and booked the woman for grand theft with $20,000 bail.

On 12/15 at 1:42 a.m., police spotted a man standing in the road at Chapala and Ortega streets, challenging an oncoming SUV to a fight. After the officer turned on his lights and asked the man to stop, the disorderly 24-year-old Santa Barbara resident told the officer, “I will f--- you up,” and assumed a fighting stance with his fists clenched. The officer responded by pepper spraying the man to no visible effect. The suspect rushed the officer, brushing past him and starting to jog away after the officer informed him he was under arrest. As the officer followed him, the man turned around and said, “Watch what happens,” at which point the officer hit a remote, opening the door of his K9-unit cruiser. The police dog caught up with the suspect as he attempted to flee, biting him several times as the man struck back repeatedly. As the K9, the officer and the suspect grappled on the ground, another officer arrived and Tasered the 24-year-old, finally putting him under arrest for disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and maliciously attacking a police dog with intent to cause injury.

On 12/16 at 12:40 a.m., police responded to a report of a fight at Madison’s Grill and Tavern, 525 State St., finding two men holding a third on the ground. After interviewing witnesses, officers determined the 29-year-old suspect on the ground had challenged bouncers and civilians, threatening to “kill them.” After he threw a punch at a bouncer and missed, he hit a bystander in the face. That bystander and a friend wrestled the suspect to the ground until police arrived. Officers reported the suspect — who had been involved in an earlier incident at Madison’s that evening — had a heavy odor of alcohol and had urinated on himself. Police arrested him for battery and disorderly conduct.