Man Arrested for Destroying TVs at Costco

Source: Santa Maria Police Department

On Monday, February 17, 2020, at about 1803 hours, SMPD officers were dispatched to Costco, located at 1700 S. Bradley Road, to conflicting reports of shots fired inside the business and a subject vandalizing televisions. As officers responded to the area, additional calls came into the communication center with similar reports. As the first officer arrived on scene, a suspect matching the description provided by witnesses ran out of the business and into the parking lot. 

The officer ordered the suspect, later identified as 25 year old Santa Maria area resident Jose De Leon Dominguez, to stop; however, he refused the officer’s orders and continued to run away from the area. The officer followed Dominguez and contacted him near the intersection of Meehan and Bradley Road. Dominguez resisted the officer’s efforts to arrest him. A few bystanders in the area helped the officer restrain Dominguez until additional officers arrived on scene and arrested him. 

Officers’ investigation revealed Dominguez had entered Costco and pushed two large televisions onto the floor, causing them to break. It was this sound that prompted 911 calls regarding possible shots fired. The total damage to the televisions exceeded $3,000.00. 

Dominguez was ultimately transported and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for felony vandalism and resisting arrest with bail set at $25,000.00.