Suspicious Vehicle Accident

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Around 11PM Sunday, a call went out about a possible vehicle accident on the NB 101 freeway near the Salinas Street off ramp in Santa Barbara.

Initially, SBPD cruised by Old Coast Highway and discovered that indeed a vehicle had crashed through the fence, and a truck was discovered down the ditch in thick brush next to the freeway.

No one was found with the vehicle. Police set up a perimeter to search for a possible body or at least someone hurt. A K9 unit was brought in and police used a loud horn to call out to the suspected driver of the truck. At one point, police called out to anyone that was in the brush, that they needed to come out with their hands up or the dog would be released.

Additionally, Santa Barbara City Fire was called out to assist SBPD with thermal technology to help locate anyone that may have been hurt in the thick brush. As of yet, no one has been found near the crash site.

Police are still investigating the mysterious crash.

Anyone with any information may contact the Santa Barbara Police Department.

 

 

 

**UPDATE**

Ronald Anthony Beltran, age 39, of Santa Barbara, was arrested for attempted murder, auto theft, hit & run, and resisting or delaying an officer following an altercation with a family member.  The suspect and victim reside together in the same household.

On January 5, 2014 at 11:30 p.m., officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department responded to a call of a vehicle stolen from a residence on the 1100 block of N. Milpas Street.  Upon arrival the victim, a 46-year old male relative of the suspect, reported that Beltran had stolen his truck.  The victim also informed the investigating officers that Beltran had stabbed him during an altercation that occurred earlier in the day.

Beltran was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on the aforementioned charges and is being held without bail.  Photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Beltran would not reveal his motive for stabbing his relative; thus far the attack appears to have been unprovoked.  Investigation indicates that he took the victim’s truck in order to provoke another confrontation with the victim.  Relatives stated that Beltran had been drinking heavily prior to the incident.

Knife Wielding Man

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It was quite the scare when Santa Barbara Police converged at the Faulding Hotel on Haley and State Streets just after 12 p.m. Monday on reports of a man wielding a knife threatening passerbys.

The strong police presence could be seen around the city block by many shocked residents and tourists. Multiple reporting parties called 911 and shortly thereafter, a middle aged looking man in a black t-shirt was taken into custody without incident.

It was later learned that the suspect had a history of mental illness.

Despite interviewing all of the witnesses, authorities were unable to locate any victims and it was determined that no physical assault had taken place.

One lane on Haley Street was blocked off by police units but was soon re-opened.

Downtown Assault

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Monday night in Santa Barbara was anything but quiet. Several assaults plagued the city from its downtown corridor to the waterfront. It was a very busy night for police.

The first assault happened before 3PM when police found a man suffering from stab wounds to his back in the 900 block of E. Gutierrez Street. The incident prompted nearby Franklin School to go on a temporary lockdown while police searched the area. One person is in custody and it appears this incident may have been gang related.

Over at the intersection of Bath and Haley Streets, several subjects were seen involved in a physical fight that left one person injured just before 8PM. The victim was taken to Cottage Hospital for further evaluation.

Shortly after 9PM, a Latino man was reported with having a head injury stemming from a physical altercation involving an African-American man. It happened by the Bank of America in the 800 block of State Street. Paramedics arrived on scene soon after the call out but were unable to find the victim.

A witness was able to follow the suspect to the Mesa Fuel Depot on Carrillo and Chapala Street where police cornered him and questioned the assailant.

Several police units, along with Harbor Patrol and an AMR ambulance, were dispatched to the Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf around 9:30PM. A man was taken to Cottage Hospital. No further details were provided.

Finally, minutes later, additional police units responded to calls of a possible assault at the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and Bath Street. Multiple subjects were seen talking to law enforcement.

Vehicle Rollover on Carrillo Street

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - An ugly traffic collision sent two people to the hospital Saturday afternoon.

It happened at the intersection of Carrillo and Castillo streets. A truck going at full speed ran a red light and collided with a Chevrolet Cavalier.

The occupants of the truck self extricated and are fine. However, the driver and passenger of the sedan had to be taken out with the Jaws of Life, and were transported to Cottage Hospital. Their injuries unknown.

Santa Barbara City Fire responded when Fire Chief Pat McElroy radioed the accident in as it happened in front of his eyes.

Santa Barbara Police and CHP led traffic control by closing streets, a block in each direction.

It’s still unknown as to why the truck ran the red light, but Fire Captain Mike De Ponce strongly cautions drivers to be alert when driving, and pedestrians should be aware of traffic and busy intersections.

 

Stabbing Near Las Positas

SANTA BARBARA, Calif - A stabbing took place on the 1200 block of Crest Line Drive in Santa Barbara just after 7:30 Saturday night.

The victim was rushed to cottage hospital.

The condition of his/her injuries are unknown.

The suspect fled to an area near Elings Park. An initial report stated the suspect himself called law enforcement and told them if they had to shoot him to go right ahead.

Police were able to find and arrest the suspect without incident. No word yet on what prompted this act of violence.

**UPDATE**

Police say the victim is a 60 year old woman from unincorporated Santa Barbara, and was attending a dinner at the suspect's home when she was attacked from behind.

The victim suffered a twelve-centimeter long incision to her neck and was transported by paramedics to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for medical treatment. She is expected to recover from her injury.

The suspect has been identified as 20-year old Samuel Maphis of Santa Barbara. He has been booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for attempted murder and terrorist threats.

Investigation reveals that mental illness may be a factor.

Bail is set at $2,500,000.00.

Pedestrian Killed in SB and IV Robberies

It was certainly a tragic Saturday night when a woman and her dog were struck and killed by multiple vehicles on Highway 101 just after 11pm. The fatal accident happened next to the Milpas south off ramp where traffic was being directed to exit. Southbound Highway 101 was completely closed off at this location for several hours until law enforcement officials completed their investigation.

Captain Chris Mailes from the Santa Barbara Fire Department says two engines were dispatched to the scene. However, upon arrival, the California Highway Patrol had already declared the woman deceased. Both bodies on the road were covered up but that was no console for the multiple drivers that were witness to the tragic event. As a reader and witness states, “I drove past the severed body not knowing what it was til I saw the look on a woman's face that had pulled over. Most gruesome sight I have ever seen.” Officers were faced with the task of providing support for the traumatized drivers.

It is unclear what this woman was doing on the freeway with her dog, but a Santa Barbara police official pointed out to the fact that there are homeless camps around the area close to the highway. Some residents believe the dog perhaps wandered into the 101 with a concerned owner trying to retrieve it. Whatever the case may be, the facts of the case will not be known until law officials complete their investigation, and even then certain aspects of this tragedy may never be known.

In Isla Vista, a young woman reported she had a phone stolen from her while on Del Playa Drive around 1:20AM. She claimed a black male adult she had befriended earlier, about 5’4”, 130lbs, beach blonde hair and dark clothing, was the suspect. Minutes later, a man reported being robbed in the 6500 block of Segovia Rd. in Isla Vista when a dark red sedan pulled up next to him. According to the victim, the passenger in the sedan, described as a college age black mail with facial hair, made a motion that appeared as though he had a gun. The suspect then took the victim’s cell phone and wallet, although he left the cell phone before driving away.

According to scanner traffic, police were called to the downtown area near Carrillo St. around 2AM to investigate recent activity placed on a credit card that was believed to be the victim’s. Some time later, it appeared as though the red sedan associated with the IV robbery was stopped by police. UCSB sent out a reverse 911 informing students of the two crimes.

To Catch a Thief

Santa Barbara Police are looking for a man in connection with an auto burglary that occurred at a local athletic club.

Police say the thief used the victim’s credit cards to purchase several gift cards immediately following the burglary. He was seen driving a gray 2-door BMW convertible. Authorities do no provide any further details but are seeking the public’s help tonight. If you have any information about the crime or recognize the suspect in the photos, you are asked to contact SBPD Detective John Ingram at 805-897-2331 or call anonymously to 805-897-2386. Additionally, you may e-mail any information to jingram@sbpd.com.

Santa Barbara Woman Attacked

Paramedics were called out to the 800 block of Cacique Street

Two ambulances were called out to the 800 block of Cacique Street around 8:30 Tuesday night on what appears to be two unrelated incidents .

Santa Barbara Police and Santa Barbara City Fire responded to the unfolding scene outside Casa Esperanza where a resident of the establishment fell ill and needed to receive medical attention. At the same time, witnesses say a young woman became hysterical saying she had been attacked by at least two men that were following her for a few blocks as she walked to her parked RV with her dog. A witness said this attack could have potentially been a rape attempt and said the victim had blood coming from her right arm as though there had been a struggle. This same witness told The Urban Note that a few days prior to this attack, they observed a man inside a car parked nearby watching the victim very closely. The investigation is ongoing and the victim's name is unknown at this time.

Felony Hit and Run Suspect Sought

Santa Barbara Police are looking for a hit and run suspect tonight.

The incident happened at the intersection of State Street and Calle Palo Colorado at 9:53 this morning. A 41-year old female was walking across the intersection when she was struck by a vehicle travelling eastbound that failed to stop. The victim suffered “significant injuries,” according to police, and “was transported to Cottage Hospital by ambulance.”

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male, possibly Hispanic or Middle Eastern, 50-60 years old, square face, unshaven, with black hair. He was driving a glossy black pick-up truck with a black camper (pictured above), and was seen driving through a nearby Shell gas station fleeing northbound on Calle Palo Colorado. The vehicle may have minor to moderate front end or hood damage due to the collision.

The suspect is wanted for felony hit-and-run. Police ask anyone with information on this incident to please contact Officer Mark Hunt of the Santa Barbara Police Department at 805-897-3719.