Stealing, fighting and vandalizing in SB

DAILY SOUND STAFF REPORT

Santa Barbara police handled theft, vandalism, a fight on State Street, embezzlement and shoplifting in recent days.

April 28 — An unknown suspect smashed the windshield and front left window of a Chevy Suburban, possibly using a brick, in the 300 block of N. Milpas St. The vehicle’s owner told police the burglar made off with an envelope containing $800 in cash from the center console. No items of value were in sight and the victim told authorities an acquaintance was the only person who may have known the cash was in the car.

April 30 — Unknown suspects entered Hayward Lumber property and found the keys to one of the company’s trucks, a small Ford F-150. They proceeded to drive the pickup truck into a forklift, causing an estimated $2,000 in damage. The front gates were not opened during the night, indicating the truck never left the property.

April 30, 1:04 a.m. — Police arrived at 700 State St. after receiving reports of a fight in progress. An officer found the victim bleeding from his nose and spotted one suspect, a 28-year-old man, running up behind the victim with his fist raised. Officers detained the suspect and a 27-year-old man found down the block. Witnesses reported seeing the first suspect approach the victim and hit him approximately four times in the face. The second suspect then proceeded to deck the victim twice. With a broken nose and a laceration, the victim told police he wasn’t sure if he lost consciousness during the attack. Authorities arrested the two suspects for battery causing serious injury. The 28-year-old also was arrested on a parole violation.

May 1 — Officers arrived at Macy’s, 701 State St., after receiving reports of embezzlement and found security officers holding a 22-year-old man. An investigation revealed the employee had unknowingly met a former Macy’s security agent in a bar and bragged that he could swipe some free merchandise. Informed by the ex-agent to watch the suspect, loss prevention officers noted the suspect issued himself store credit multiple times. The 22-year-old made a total of 12 transactions totaling $630. He admitted to the embezzlement and informed officers he was out on bail for a prior felony narcotics arrest by the sheriff’s department. Authorities booked the suspect on $20,000 bail for grand theft.

May 2, 5:38 p.m. — A security officer at Scolari’s Food and Drug Co., 222 N. Milpas St., spotted a man shoving items down the front of his pants and into his pockets. After the suspect left without paying, the officer confronted him in the parking lot and asked him to return the items. When the suspect refused, the security guard attempted to take his arm and lead him back to the store. The suspect pushed away and punched the guard in the chest before attempting to flee in his truck. However, the security officer managed to snag the keys to the vehicle, forcing the suspect to take off on foot. Found later by the police, the 51-year-old man admitted to taking the items. He also admitted the registration tags on his truck were false. Authorities arrested the suspect for petty theft, battery and false vehicle registration.