Man Arrested for Reportedly Peeping While Prowling

Santa Barbara police officers originally responding to a loud music complaint wound up arresting 27-year-old Miguel Ramirez-Hernandez after they observed him allegedly peeping while prowling at a West Quinto Street home.

As an officer was waiting for backup for the original call, he spotted Ramirez-Hernandez — wearing dark clothing — standing near the corner of the house, close to a hedge, moving his head up, down, and side-to-side as if he were trying to get a good view through the blinds covering the nearby window.

Ramirez-Hernandez was startled when the officer called out to him, backing up a few steps before turning and fleeing. Police say he ran onto Quinto Street and then north on 2500 De la Vina Street, through the apartment complex at 2515 De la Vina Street, and then north in the alley to the rear of the complex where he tripped and fell. The pursuing officer held Ramirez-Hernandez at Taser-point until other officers arrived and arrested him.

At the time he was taken into custody, Ramirez-Hernandez had a flathead screwdriver on him that he said he carried for personal protection. He was booked into County Jail and charged with felony possession of a concealed dirk or dagger, and misdemeanors of peeping while prowling and resisting or delaying a peace officer. His bail was $20,000.