Three in Court for Alleged I.V. Baseball Bat Robbery

Judge Clifford Anderson reduced the bail Monday for a female UCSB student connected to an Isla Vista robbery last month. Sheriff’s deputies allege four individuals — one armed with a baseball bat, one 17-years-old, two female UCSB students — showed up to an apartment on the corner of Madrid and Camino Pescadero intending to steal “personal belongings.”

On January 29 at about 4 p.m., UCSB student Carissa Garcia, 19, and Palm Springs resident Kenyatta White, 19, entered the apartment unit, got into a verbal altercation with the residents, and demanded property, court files allege. White allegedly hit one victim with the bat, pushed another victim down the stairs, and kicked in the front door to help Garcia escape. White fled the scene back to the car where third suspect UCSB freshman Breanna Kromer, 18, was waiting; Garcia ran off in another direction, prosecutors claim. Kromer then allegedly drove White to an area near Garcia’s dorm room. It’s unclear how the 17-year-old male was involved.

Sheriff’s deputies ultimately tracked down and arrested Kromer and Garcia. The two male suspects were not caught. Two days later, Sheriff’s detectives responded to a tip that the outstanding suspects were hiding in a nearby residence on the 900 block of Camino Lindo.

Sheriff’s detectives watched the house throughout the day and “confirmed that the suspects were inside,” according to Sheriff spokesperson Kelly Hoover. But the suspects refused to come out, barricading themselves inside for several hours. Other people inside who were not involved were evacuated. Later, a K-9 Unit was sent in. The two outstanding suspects were taken into custody “without incident,” Hoover added.

In court Monday, Judge Anderson reduced Kromer’s bail from $100,000 to $50,000 after public defender Mark Owens argued she had no prior record — not even a traffic ticket. Owens expressed confusion that Garcia had, meanwhile, been previously released on her own recognizance. Garcia appeared in street clothes with her attorney.

Owens claimed Kromer had received none of her medications since she was booked into jail 11 days ago and that she had not been seen by a doctor or mental health professional. “It’s frustrating,” Owens said in an interview. Recently, the issue of health care in the County Jail has come under scrutiny. (Owens declined to say which type of meds.)

In response, Hoover issued this statement: “As part of the booking process, there are several opportunities and procedures in place for an inmate to list any prescribed medications they are taking. The first time the Sheriff’s Office learned of this concern was when it was revealed in court. The Sheriff’s Office takes these requests seriously and is following up.”

Anderson declined to reduce White’s bail. He reasoned he faced charges “different from that of Ms. Kromer.” It is unclear what type of bat was used and what injuries the victims sustained in the alleged attack. Prosecutor Ben Ladinig declined to comment on those two points.

It is unclear how the four suspects knew each other or what type of drugs — if any — were involved. The District Attorney’s Office has not yet filed any charges against the minor. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 24 at 1:30 p.m.