Daytime Burglary Suspect Arrested

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

One suspect is in custody following community reports of a subject running through backyards in the Orcutt area. Just after 4:00 p.m. on November 30, 2018, the Santa Barbara County Public Safety Dispatch Center received a call from a witness near Raymond Avenue in Orcutt who saw a subject running through a backyard. The subject was described as a male adult, wearing a black shirt and black pants and when confronted by a witness, claimed to be “hiding”. 

A number of other residents in the area updated Dispatch with a direction of travel and locations. Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Santa Maria Station were able to set a perimeter and, within 8 minutes, tracked the subject, eventually detaining him in front of a residence on Bedford Place.

While speaking with residents and walking the neighborhood, Deputies discovered that the subject had not only entered residents’ yards without permission, but had entered at least one residence. The subject apparently fled the residence when he encountered the dogs living there.

28-year old Jonathan Russell Thomas of Santa Maria was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail for Residential Burglary and False Impersonation along with a $10,000.00 warrant from Humboldt County.

The Deputies assigned to the Santa Maria Station were impressed with the description of the suspect as well as his updated movements. Without this communication, it is possible that this apprehension would not have been made. This incident is an excellent example of the Teamwork and support that is so crucial to our joint success.

Anyone with additional information can call the Sheriff’s Office at 805 683-2724. To leave an anonymous tip, please call 805-681-4171 or visit https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/