Burglary, bomb threat, bank robbery fill blotter

DAILY SOUND STAFF REPORT

Cases involving substance abuse, assault, a bomb threat, a bank robbery and burglaries have kept Santa Barbara police on their toes in recent days.

April 14, 11:30 p.m. — Police stopped a vehicle for traveling at unsafe speeds and found the passenger, a 41-year-old Oxnard woman, to be exhibiting symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. A records check showed she was on probation for narcotics violations. She admitted to having a glass methamphetamine pipe in her underwear, retrieving it at the officer’s request. During a second search at the police station, officers dislodged a small bindle of cocaine from her bra. Authorities booked the woman on $10,000 bail for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, and for being under the influence.

April 14, 5:43 p.m. — A 54-year-old man had been reading a book in Chase Palm Park when two suspects, known by the victim only by their first names, approached and began drinking and having a discussion about racism with the victim. The suspects became angry and started punching and kicking the 54-year-old man. He told police he heard the suspects say, “You’re nothing but a stupid Mexican” and “We don’t like the color you are.”

April 16 — Police received a report of an apparent bomb threat against Santa Barbara Junior High School from a school counselor. The counselor told authorities a group of current students said a former student had threatened over the phone that he was going to beat up people or blow up the school. Police said the juvenile suspect, now residing in the Los Angeles area, had apparently been upset about rumors surrounding the reason for his suspension or expulsion from the junior high school.

April 17, 4:30 p.m. — Witnesses reported seeing a woman using a hypodermic needle to inject an unknown substance while seated in a vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 500 block of W. Canon Perdido St. Police found a 38-year-old woman in the location described. They noted she was picking at her arms, talking fast and jumping from topic to topic. A search of the vehicle revealed 48 needles, several spoons, rubber tubing, and multiple pills. A urine test came back positive for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine and opiates. Authorities arrested the woman for being under the influence and possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

April 18, 2:04 p.m. — A man entered the north entrance of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and passed a note to a teller requesting money. After the teller complied, the man left on foot and police searches failed to turn up any suspects. Authorities said he made off with $10,519, including eight documented bait bills. No dye pack was included with the stolen cash.

April 18, 10:40 p.m. — Authorities arrived at the scene of a traffic accident on Tallant Road where a Mercedes had crashed into a tree. Witnesses reported seeing the driver and a passenger fleeing the scene. With no suspects, officers attempted to contact the registered owner of the vehicle, who was not at home. The following day, the registered owner of the Mercedes called police to report a home burglary and car theft. Away on a camping trip with his son, the owner came home to find someone had broken in, used a computer and a Playstation, took a shower, and ate food before leaving with his son’s shoes, gas masks, about $25 and the 1995 Mercedes.
Evidence at the home indicated the burglar was a friend of the victim’s son. After tracking down the suspect on April 20 at 3:30 a.m., officers questioned the 18-year-old about the traffic accident. He made inconsistent statements, first saying he had been loaned the vehicle, then that he had not seen his friend or the car for several days. While in the station, he was overheard by police talking to friends on his cell phone, saying “They got me in every lie I made.” Authorities booked him on $50,000 bail for burglary, grand theft auto, and hit-and-run with property damage.

April 19, 11:11 p.m. — A suspect brandished a black handgun at a 20-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man as he drove by in the 2200 block of De la Vina St. The victim’s were unable to get a license plate and could not identify the suspect.

April 20, 3:13 p.m. — Officers arrived at an apartment in the 200 block of W. Victoria St. after its occupant reported a burglary. Stolen items included a laptop, Playstation 2, skateboard, two iPods, DVDs, CDs and a teddy bear. Police noted the front window had been left unlatched and appeared to have been pried open.

April 21, 8 a.m. — Police arrived at Santa Barbara High School after reports of a burglary. A teacher directed them to the theater department, where they found evidence of a forced entry. Once inside, the suspects had access to several unlocked areas and made off with several computer monitors, a laptop and other electronic equipment. No suspect information is available and detectives are still investigating the incident. School staff said the burglary occurred sometime between Friday at 5 p.m. and Monday at 7:30 a.m. Authorities estimated the value of the stolen goods at $16,775.