Santa Barbara Crime Blotter, 4/2 – 4/8
Whiskey-Drinking Suspect 'Chin-Checks' Assault Victim; Man Flips Table at Natural Cafe
4/3; 6:30 p.m.: A man who was arrested in Prince George’s County, Maryland, was extradited to Santa Barbara to face burglary charges.
4/4; 5:20 p.m.; 100 Micheltorena Street: A man told police that he was punched for no reason in a nearby park. Officers contacted the suspect who was drinking a bottle of Jim Beam whiskey. The suspect admitted to punching the victim, saying, “He deserved to get chin-checked.”
4/5; 1:40 a.m.; 1055 Garcia Road: Responding to a report of a hit-and-run accident, police realized they had seen the suspect vehicle earlier in the night before the incident occurred. Police went to the nearby home of the suspected driver. When they arrived, the driver was in bed pretending to be asleep. A DUI investigation revealed that the driver had a blood alcohol of 0.17, more than twice above the legal limit.
4/5; 8:55 a.m.; 1625 Laguna Street: With full search-and-seizure terms, police conducted a search of a probationer’s home. The report noted the man was “heavier and more muscular” than police had remembered. A shirt pocket in the man’s closet contained an injection vial that police recognized as anabolic steroids. The man had also created incriminating posts on the Internet regarding steroids.
4/5; 3:05 p.m.; 15 East Cota Street: A man flipped over a table at Natural Café. When he was contacted by police, he tried to run away but slipped and fell on the way out. During a search of his person, police found small baggies of methamphetamine and cocaine.
4/6; 9:56 p.m.; 100 West Ortega Street: A man allegedly showed another man a 6- to 8-inch knife and said, “You have a problem with me?” The victim responded that he was a Marine and wasn’t afraid. The suspect walked away, but police quickly found a person matching his description. The suspect was identified by the victim in a lineup and arrested.
4/6; 12:15 p.m.; 4000 Primavera Drive: A witness reported that they heard three men talking about “popping a cap in someone’s ass” and “breaking into a home.” Police contacted the three men, and they ran away. Two of the suspects were found in a backyard. No arrests were made.
