Weekly police wrap up
updated: Nov 25, 2009, 2:09 PM

Source: SBPD

SANTA BARBARA, CA - 11/25/2009 - November 25th, 2009. Here is a sampling of criminal incidents handled by Santa Barbara Police Officers the past week:

On 11/20 at 3:00 p.m., Officer Burleigh noticed a silver Jaguar with expired registration drive into a private lot at 300 S. Milpas Street and park in a position that blocked other drivers. Officer Burleigh drove into the lot, stopped behind the Jaguar, and walked up to the driver's window. Officer Burleigh surprised the driver, Emilio Jacob Zamorano, age 34, in the act of smoking suspected crystal Meth: A crack pipe was in his left hand, a lighter in his right, and two bindles of suspected Meth in his lap. Zamorano was arrested for drug possession and parole violation.

Zamorano

On 11/20 at 3:40 p.m., Officer Ortega handled an embezzlement investigation at Sephora Store, 701 Paseo Nuevo. Store security presented evidence that a 3-year employee named Leo Cesar Ramirez, age 22, had embezzled more than $1,150 over the past four months. Ramirez was accused of ringing-up fraudulent returns, and crediting the cash value to his credit cards. Ramirez was arrested for Grand Theft Embezzlement and Burglary.

Ramirez

On 11/21 at 8:00 a.m., a City Parks employee discovered two large concrete planters tipped over and broken at Chase Palm Park, 323 E. Cabrillo Blvd. The estimated loss for the pair was $1,500. Officer Larson investigated: He contacted a group of homeless people who frequently camp behind the structure. Two of them witnessed the vandalism: Just after daybreak, a man who appeared "angry" walked through the area, tipping over numerous trashcans. Shortly thereafter, Officer Larson detained James Derek Tabor, age 39, who matched the suspect description and was walking in the immediate area. The two witnesses made a positive identification. Tabor was booked for felony vandalism.

Tabor

On 11/21 at 11:05 a.m., Officer Hall investigated a fraud scheme commonly called a "Pigeon Drop". A Spanish speaking man was approached by the suspect, who told this story: A ‘Coyote' was helping his mother cross into the U.S. from Mexico. The Coyote demanded cash and would not take a check. The suspect asked the victim to help by cashing the check. The victim wanted to help and agreed to cash the check. A third person (co-suspect) joined them, and also agreed to help. The suspect asked the victim and co-suspect for cash as a sign of ‘good faith', and so they wouldn't cash the check and keep the money. The co-suspect agreed and handed over his wallet. Upon seeing this, the victim handed over his wallet. The victim went into a store to cash the check and tore open the envelope. To his dismay, the envelope only contained a bank deposit slip. Meanwhile, the two suspects fled with his wallet which contained $1,200 cash. The victim described the suspects as: A Hispanic male, 40 years, 5 ft, 5 in, w/ several days beard growth; and a White male, tall, with green eyes.

On 11/21 at 7:30 p.m., Officer Lazarus handled a disturbance at a residence in the 2100 block of Red Rose Lane. A neighbor reported frequent disturbances at the residence. Police determined that Kellie Lynn Villa, age 31, had struck a male in the head with a vodka bottle. She was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

On 11/21 at 2:45 p.m., Officer Hall was checking a transient encampment adjacent to the freeway at lower Milpas Street. He arrested Kathleen Young, age 42 for probation violation. Hidden in her underclothes were two syringes containing suspected heroin. A drug possession charge was added.

Young

On 11/24 at 2:30 p.m., an unknown suspect exposed himself to a woman near McKinley School, 350 Loma Alta. The woman was walking up the paved walkway from Coronel St. to the school when she encountered a man exposing himself. The woman reported the incident to the school principal and called police. Officer Tudor investigated. The woman described the suspect as a Hispanic male, mid 50s, 5 ft 4 in, thin build. He wore sunglasses, a green shirt, faded jeans, black shoes, and had no facial hair. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective LaTorre at 897-2335.

On 11/24 at 12:00 midnight, officers responded to a report of prowlers in the area of 600 E. Micheltorena Street. A citizen reported two men with a flashlight lurking in a neighbor's driveway checking a parked car. The citizen went outside to scare off the suspects and called 911. The suspects fled up Olive Street, but were detained by police at 500 E. Valerio Street. Between them the two men had: A flashlight, gloves, a screwdriver, and a Ford key from an unknown vehicle. The citizen made an in-field identification. Officer Castro arrested Jose Perez Godinez, age 23, and Antonio Rendon Vasquez, age 18 for: Prowling, Vehicle Tampering, and for Vasquez, Possession of burglary tools.

Godinez

Vasquez

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