“Because of the nature of the behavior and how the fight went down we believe it was a gang fight,” said Public Information Officer Paul McCaffrey. “By and large we’ve been very successful in arresting a lot of gang members.”

No customers or employees were injured during the fight. Just minutes later a second fight was reported at 200 Castillo St. Later, police also responded to a Cottage Hospital call that an alleged gang member, Robert Joseph Martinez arrived at the hospital and had suffered three “slash” stab wounds.

“Prevention and community safety is certainly part of the solution to the gang problem, but other aspects, such as finding out why these young men are joining gangs, is also part of the solution. As a community we need to find ways to influence current and prospective gang members to find better alternatives.”

The Santa Barbara Police Department is addressing gang violence with uniform gang patrol, bicycle patrol and prevention programs such as DARE.

 

Homeless Man Beaten to Death

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested three male suspects for Homicide at approximately 7:30 a.m. on June 14 after the body of a 49-year-old homeless man was found near a transient encampment. Police have not yet released the name of the victim, pending relative notification.

“Our expert investigation and the good work of all the officers involved resulted in the apprehension of the three suspects,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney. “It’s unfortunate anytime there’s a loss of human life.”

The encampment is bordered by State Street and Highways 101 and 154. The area is reported to be frequented by transients. According to a statement released by the Sheriff’s Department, detectives determined that the victim was involved in an argument with several other subjects at the camp, which resulted in him being severely beaten. The victim was apparently abandoned after the altercation. The three suspects are identified as 38-year-old Robert Sladek, 39-year-old Russell Mell and 40-year-old Brian Rose. All three were arrested and booked on suspicion of homicide into the Santa Barbara County Jail.

 

Carpentaria Man Conned out of $3,000 in Lottery Scam

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department recently issued a statement warning the public of a Lotto Scam spanning three cities, but after a May 9 lotto scam, in which a 70-year-old male reported being scammed out of $3,000, the Sheriff’s Department re-issued the warning.

“The suspects are different, whether they’re part of the same group or not we don’t know,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney. “We see this type of scam and a host of other scams appear from time to time. It’s an ongoing issue.”

According to the statement the victim was approached by two Hispanic males who told the victim they had a winning lottery ticket but claimed they couldn’t cash it in because they were illegal aliens. The suspects promised the victim a percentage of the winnings if he helped them. The victim was asked to withdraw $3,000 from his bank account as collateral. The suspects included some of their own money to the collateral and the victim secured it in the glove box of his vehicle.

One suspect then complained of illness and excused himself, while the second suspect and the victim entered the Albertsons store in Casitas Village to buy water. While inside the store the second suspect told the victim he needed to check on his friend in the car and when the victim returned to his car, the money in the glove box was gone.  

“We’re at a point in our investigation where were asking for the public’s help in identifying the two male suspects,” Raney said. “We have leads from the surveillance tape from Albertsons, and we’re going to check to see if there are surveillance tapes available from the bank. We know that these guys are working in the Tri-County area.”

The other incidents that occurred in Goleta and Carpinteria in March involved a pregnant Hispanic female and a male. All the cases are still under investigation.

“If somebody offers you an opportunity to make quick money that seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Raney said, “and you should always be suspicious of someone who approaches you and wants you to get involved in some kind of money-making opportunity. You should walk away and call authorities.”

 

Law Enforcement Completes a Torch Run for Special Olympics

June 13 marked the 26^th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Ceremonies to benefit Special Olympics. The Torch Run has taken place since 1981. The ceremony involved more than 3,500 officers who carried the torch over 1,500 miles through 200 communities. The officers represented various law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Local agencies, including the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office, County Parks and the Probation Office raised nearly $100,000 through the year-round fundraising events, such as the Tip-a-Cop event.

“The torch run has become the Special Olympics’ largest grass roots fundraiser and public awareness campaign,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney. In 2006 over 85,000 law enforcement raised $25.5 million to support Special Olympics programs world wide.

“I heard one of the deputies who was actually involved in carrying the torch say ‘we normally interact with the public in a law enforcement capacity and to be able to interact with the public in such a positive way really means a lot.’ I think that rings true for everyone involved in this,” Raney said.

All of the money raised will be beneficial and directed to regional, state and international competitions as well as training workshops and conferences.

“When you see and meet the athletes and see the joy in their faces, it really makes all of the effort and volunteer time worth it.”

 

 

Man Suffers Minor Injury After Semi Turns Over in Gaviota

The Highway Patrol responded to a big rig roll over at approximately 12:38 p.m. on June 12 about a mile and a half of the State Route #1 over-crossing, just north of Gaviota Tunnel on Hwy 101. According to the collision report, the driver Gelber Garcia of Thousand Oaks was heading southbound on the 101 in the slow lane at a related speed of 40-50 mph when he lost control of his vehicle while trying to make a right-hand turn. Garcia’s trailer, which was described as being “fully loaded” with broccoli, began to lean to the left and fell onto the concrete and hit the center divider wall. The truck and trailer slid approximately 200 feet.

No other cars were involved in the accident. Garcia sustained a minor laceration to his left elbow. The truck was towed from the accident scene.

“The registered owner of the truck was the driver so he may be an independent operator,” said Officer Kurt Schmidt of the California Highway Patrol. “We have had about three truck roll over’s this year and speed is probably the main contributor as far as big rigs go.”