Police blotter — November 26

By DAILY SOUND STAFF — Nov. 26, 2009

Nov. 20, 3 p.m. — An officer on patrol spotted a silver Jaguar with expired registration tags pull into a lot in the 300 block of S. Milpas Street and park in a way that blocked other vehicles.

After pulling into the lot and stopping behind the vehicle, the officer approached the driver’s side window and was surprised to find the 34-year-old driver in the act of smoking crystal meth. The man was holding a crack pipe in his left hand and a lighter in his right, with two bindles of suspected meth in his lap.

Authorities took the 34-year-old into custody for drug possession and violating his parole.

Nov. 20, 3:40 p.m. — While looking into a suspected embezzlement at Sephora, 701 Paseo Nuevo, an officer reviewed evidence presented by store security that suggested a 3-year employee had embezzled more than $1,150 during the course of four months.

The 22-year-old employee had apparently rang up fraudulent returns and credited the cash value to his own credit cards. Authorities booked the man for grand theft, embezzlement and burglary.

Nov. 20, 8:58 p.m. — Police headed to the 1900 block of Cliff Drive after receiving reports of a shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival, officers spoke with two employees of Lazy Acres, who were standing by with the shoplifting suspect.

The manager at the grocery store reported seeing two suspicious men who had entered and theft the store several times before loitering outside. He spotted one of the men enter the store again, stuff a bottle of alcohol down his pants and leave without paying.

When the manager approached the 19-year-old suspect at the intersection of Cliff Drive and Meigs Road, the teen denied taking anything from the store and took off running. As store employees gave chase, the suspect fled through the bushes into an alley behind Albertsons.

During the pursuit, the bottle of alcohol fell from the suspect’s pants and shattered on the pavement. Police spoke with the 19-year-old, who admitted to planning the theft because he wasn’t old enough to buy alcohol. Authorities booked him into jail for burglary.

Nov. 21, 12:30 a.m. — Police responded to a disturbance at a home in the first block of La Cadena Street and discovered a 45-year-old woman was refusing to leave the residence. After being asked to leave, the former tenant had picked up a knife and threatened another woman in the home.

The victim told officers she was in fear for her safety and the safety of a 2-year-old girl in the house. Authorities booked the suspect into jail for brandishing.

Nov. 21, 8 a.m. — City parks officials called police to Chase Palm Park, in the 300 block of E. Cabrillo Boulevard, after discovering two large concrete planters that had been tipped over and broken, causing an estimated loss of $1,500.

While investigating the suspected vandalism, an officer spoke with a group of people who frequently camp near the planters. Two of them reported witnessing the vandalism and told police they saw a man who appeared angry walking through the area and tipping over trashcans just after sunrise.

Authorities searched the area after obtaining a description of the suspect and found a 39-year-old man who matched the description. After the two witnesses made a positive identification, police booked the suspect for felony vandalism.

Nov. 21, 11:05 a.m. — A man called police after falling victim to a fraud scheme known to authorities as a “pigeon drop.” The suspect had approached the victim and told him that a “coyote” was helping the suspect’s mother cross the border from Mexico.

The suspect said the coyote, a common term for runners who help people cross the border illegally, had demanded cash and would not take a check. He asked the victim to help by cashing his check.

The victim agreed to help out, as did a second man later identified as a conspirator in the scheme. The suspect asked for cash as a sign of good faith so they wouldn’t cash the check and keep the money.

The co-conspirator agreed and handed over his wallet, prompting the victim to feel comfortable enough to hand over his wallet as well. When the victim entered a store to cash the check, however, he opened the envelope given to him by the suspect only to find a bank deposit slip.

Meanwhile, the two suspects had fled with his wallet, which reportedly contained $1,200 in cash. The victim described the suspects as a Hispanic man in his 40s, approximately 5-foot-5 with a short beard, and a white man, tall, with green eyes.

Nov. 23, 1 p.m. — Authorities headed to Santa Barbara City College where a victim was waiting with campus security to identify a suspect in a battery several weeks prior. The suspect, a 21-year-old man, had assaulted the victim near the college’s counseling office, knocking him out, breaking his jaw and teeth, and cutting his chin.

After the victim provided a positive identification, officers questioned the 21-year-old man. He admitted punching the victim but said he didn’t realize he had caused so many injuries. Police booked him for battery causing great bodily injury.

Nov. 24, 11:10 a.m. — While on patrol, an officer looked down an alley in the 900 block of E. Montecito Street and spotted the unmistakable sight of a man urinating on the pavement. When contacted, the 55-year-old suspect refused to provide any identification and insisted the officer give him a “man’s break” for urinating.

It quickly became clear the man was heavily intoxicated, as he had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, poor balance, an odor of alcohol and severe mood swings. When arrested, the 55-year-old began using racial slurs and made threats of violence against the officer and his family. Authorities booked him for public intoxication and urination.

Nov. 24, 2:30 p.m. — Police received reports of a man who exposed himself to a woman near McKinley School, 350 Loma Alta Drive, and spoke with the victim. The woman said she was walking up the paved walkway from Coronel Street when she came across the suspect, who was exposing himself.

The victim reported the incident to the school principal, who called police. She described the suspect as a clean-shaven Hispanic man in his mid-50s, 5-foot-4 with a thin build. He was wearing sunglasses, a green shirt, faded jeans and black shoes. Anyone with information is asked to call 897-2335.

Nov. 24, midnight — Reports of prowlers brought officers to the 600 block of E. Micheltorena Street, where a witness reported seeing two men with a flashlight lurking in a neighbor’s driveway and looking into a parked car.

The witness went outside to scare off the suspects and then called authorities. The two men fled on Olive Street but officers caught up to them in the 500 block of E. Valerio Street. The suspects had a flashlight, gloves, a screwdriver and a Ford key from an unknown vehicle.

The witness positively identified both men as the suspects seen in the neighbor’s driveway. Authorities booked one suspect, a 23-year-old man, for prowling and vehicle tampering, and booked the other man, an 18-year-old, for prowling, vehicle tampering and possession of burglary tools.

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Help identification : 11/27/2009

A man was approaching me on Gutierrez Street and I pulled out my cell phone pretending to take his picture. He quickly left. I regret not buying a cell phone with a camera so I could help the police nab this creep. Yes, crime in Santa Barbara has increased since I was a child.

born here

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Use Caution this year nad holidays : 11/29/2009

Everyone keep your eyes open for those good for nothig thieves and robbers.... they are watching you to make sure your leaving your casrs unlocked and your front doors open... Please use caution when x-mas shopping and celebrating..... these good for nothing no gooders are out and watching ....

Caring Local

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