Man Accused of Two Violent Robberies

Santa Barbara resident Roberto Olaf Cortez,20, was arrested on January 10 after being implicated in two robberies, according to a press release issued by Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Drew Sugars.

The first occurred around 11 p.m. on January 9 inside the Vons located at 1000 Coast Village Road. A 22-year-old victim was hit on the head with a bottle as Cortez purportedly attempted to steal her purse. Her injuries were not life threatening.

The second robbery occurred around 2:30 a.m. on the morning of January 10 in the CVS parking lot on the 100 block of South Turnpike Road, said Sugars. A store employee was collecting carts when Cortez allegedly demanded his wallet. When the employee ran and subsequently fell, Cortez forcibly removed the wallet, driving away when he discovered there was no money in it.

After following the reported vehicle, officers arrested Cortez in the Costco parking lot in Goleta. The truck had been stolen from a Goleta resident, Sugars said. Cortez was arrested on several charges, and is currently in the Santa Barbara Jail under a $250,000 bail.