Prowler arrested in Riviera neighborhood

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara police arrested a 21-year-old local man for prowling at two separate Riviera homes last night and threatening residents.
A 74-year-old woman watching television at her home in the 1000 block of Tremonto Road at around 10:40 p.m. heard noises at her back door and encountered the man, later identified as Oliver Eduardo Guzman (pictured), authorities said.

Guzman claimed to be her neighbor and requested to have a bonfire on her property, police said, leaving after she told him she was calling the police. On their way to that location, police received another call from residents of a home in the 900 block of Tremonto Road, Police Spokesman Lt. Paul McCaffrey said.
"They reported hearing noises outside and found Guzman on their property," McCaffrey said. "Guzman asked for a ride to Milpas Street. The residents said no and told him to get off their property. Guzman stated he had a gun, and threatened to 'kill them all.'"
After repeating his threat, Guzman reached into his backpack, McCaffrey said. After the residents told Guzman to leave and called the police, Guzman picked up a broken piece of concrete and threw it at them, McCaffrey said, missing them as they ducked, but shattering a French door.
Officers found Guzman running along West Mountain Drive, a few blocks away from the two homes on Tremonto Road, authorities said. Police did not find a gun in Guzman's possession, but booked him for assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats, prowling and violating parole, McCaffrey said, adding that he is being held without bail.