Homeowner Stops Burglary in Progress

Two 21-year-old Carpinteria residents were arrested Wednesday evening when a homeowner caught them burglarizing his Toro Canyon Road house, authorities said today.

At around 6 p.m., deputies responded to a call of a burglary in progress, said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kelly Hoover. The homeowner stated he had witnessed male suspect Mauricio Solis trying to steal his mountain bike from his garage. The caller chased Solis outside and found female suspect Riley Barilla sitting in his work truck. Barilla ran to her car and tried to escape, at which point the homeowner also jumped inside Barilla’s car, Hoover said. Barilla crashed into a tree in the home’s driveway. Solis then jumped inside and the homeowner exited.

Barilla’s car with both her and Solis inside sped off, turned a corner into oncoming traffic, and slammed into a red pickup truck. The 61-year-old truck driver was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Barilla and Solis were then arrested. Barilla is charged with felony DUI, conspiring to commit petty theft, and residential burglary. Solis was booked on charges of conspiracy to commit petty crime and residential burglary. The two are also under investigation for other thefts in the area, Hoover said.

As the incident was unfolding, Hoover said, a Sheriff’s deputy responding to the scene was involved in a collision with a semi tractor-trailer on southbound 101 as he was approaching Santa Claus Lane. The deputy received only minor injuries and the semi driver was unhurt.