Man arrested after threatening police chief

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Authorities arrested a 55-year-old man after he threatened Santa Barbara Police Chief Cam Sanchez on Friday during a wedding ceremony.

Chief Sanchez, attending the wedding of a relative at Shoreline Park on Friday afternoon, had his police uniform on when he heard a man yelling about his presence. The comment included obscenities and made reference to his ethnicity, authorities said.
“The chief looked towards the direction of the comment and saw an adult male, later identified as Wayne David Scoles, 55 years of age, walking towards him,” Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte said in a news release. “Scoles approached the chief, apparently upset about homeless at the park.” The man continued yelling at Chief Sanchez and threatening to assault him. Shortly after Chief Sanchez called for help, officers arrived to take Scoles into custody without incident.
Authorities took him to the police station and cited him for disturbing the peace and challenging to fight, Sgt. Duarte said, before letting him go.