Police Blotter

Aug. 20, 10:50 p.m. — Authorities took a 36-year-old Santa Barbara man into custody for a domestic assault that occurred a week earlier in the presence of a young child. During their investigation, officers learned that the suspect had visited the victim on Aug. 13 and began to insult her. When she attempted to leave her house, the suspect pulled her back inside. As she sat on the coach with their young child, the suspect allegedly punched her several times on the head.

The victim told police the man then opened a pocketknife and threw it at her, causing a minor injury to her hand. The suspect fled before officers arrived. A week later, officers learned that the suspect was in a home in the 1600 block of Chino Street. After a 30-minute standoff, the 36-year-old suspect left the home willingly. Authorities booked him in lieu of $100,000 for domestic battery causing injury, false imprisonment, child endangerment and assault with a deadly weapon.

Aug. 22, 4:39 a.m. — A motorist flagged down a police officer to report graffiti-in-progress at Foodland, 1501 San Andres St. Authorities arrived at the location and spotted a man walking toward the rear of the business. As the officer approached, the 19-year-old Santa Barbara resident appeared to be putting something down the front of his shorts. Upon the request of the officer, he pulled out a white spray can.
Police noted the suspect had white and green paint on his fingertips. Under questioning, the teen admitted to a moniker he uses when “tagging”. Authorities handcuffed the suspect and placed him in a squad car. Officers found fresh white paint on the building and two water dispensers that appeared to be the suspect’s moniker. Police also found similar graffiti in dry green paint on a nearby wall.
The suspect denied any involvement. Authorities saw it differently and booked him into jail on $10,000 bail for vandalism.

Aug. 23, 8:20 a.m. — Officers arrived at Starbucks, 800 State St., after receiving reports of a man causing a disturbance. An employee told police the suspect had caused a similar commotion and hit a customer three days earlier. Employees told the man he was not welcome at the establishment, but he returned three days later and threatened to attack the same customer.
The suspect exited after being told to leave the store, but approached an employee who went outside to dispose of some trash. As he neared the employee, he reportedly said, “I’m King James, you’re gonna go to hell. I’m gonna kick the crap outta you and your two regulars.” When officers spoke with the man, he refused to obey and orders and told police, “I’m King James, you will bow down before me.”
After a brief struggle, police handcuffed the 45-year-old man and booked him on $2,500 bail for interfering with a lawful business and resisting arrest. Authorities also requested the man undergo a mental health evaluation.

Aug. 23, 5:05 p.m. — Security personnel at Sears, 3845 State St., caught a woman shoplifting and held her until police arrived. During their investigation, police learned that security officers had watched on surveillance cameras as two men picked out items for the suspect to hide in her baby stroller. Officers followed her as she left the store without paying and took her into custody.
The 20-year-old admitted to entering the store with the intent to steal items. She told police she had planned to use the stolen goods as a form of rent payment to people who allowed her to stay in their home. Authorities noted most of the items appeared to be for her and her son. Police booked the woman on $20,000 bail for burglary.

Aug. 23, 9:30 p.m. — Police arrived at Chase Palm Park following reports of a fight involving numerous suspected gang members. During their investigation, authorities determined a group of individuals about 20 years of age approached a wedding party. A witness told police she saw people in the group began to punch a 15-year-old boy at the party and attempt to strike him with a chair. She told authorities the group of men were yelling and displaying suspected gang signs with their hands.
The suspects had fled by the time police arrived and the victim said he could not identify any of them. As the officers continued investigating, several people approached and said the 15-year-old victim was fine and that they didn’t want any further investigation or prosecution.
Officers explained that the 15-year-old would have to go to the station for more questioning and to be picked up by his parents, causing the victim to become uncooperative. As police tried to get a handle on the teenager, a woman stepped in and pushed an officer on his right side, where he carries his firearm. The officer pushed back, knocking her to the ground.
The 20-year-old Carpinteria woman, apparently the girlfriend of the victim’s brother, continued cursing and insulting officers. Police took her into custody on $2,500 bail for battery on a peace officer.

Aug. 24, 12:40 a.m. — Police tracked down a man suspected of assaulting a new employee during a dispute over paychecks and uniforms. Officers arrived in the 1100 block of Punta Gorda Street after receiving reports of an assault and found a man being treated by medics for a large cut to his head. The victim said he had been employed by a 48-year-old man for the past five days and had not been paid for his work.
Moments earlier, the victim said, he ran into his boss near Voluntario and Punta Gorda streets. As they discussed his pay, the victim turned his back momentarily. At that point, the victim said his boss smacked him on the head with a metal bar.
After the victim fled to his home, he called authorities. Officers located a witness who lives with the victim. The witness said the suspect had been at the home earlier, demanding some uniforms and asking to speak with the victim. The witness reported seeing the boss with a red metal bar with a black handle.
After searching the area, police found the suspect and his vehicle. Authorities discovered a metal bar suspected of being the weapon used in the assault. Police booked the 48-year-old man into jail for assault with a deadly weapon.

Aug. 24, 1:05 a.m. — Police entered Tonic Nightclub at 634 State St. for a premise check and spotted several men arguing in the VIP lounge. As the men appeared to be on the brink of a fight, officers stepped in and told them to break it up. One subject stepped back but another suspect stepped forward and punched him twice in the face, causing him to fall down.
Police immediately shot the suspect with a Taser and took him into custody. The 27-year-old Santa Maria man admitted to drinking six mixed drinks with vodka in the span of an hour and a half. He had bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. Police booked him in lieu of $2,500 bail for fighting in public, resisting arrest and public intoxication.