Police Arrest Suspected Tobacco Shop Burglar

On March 31, 2020 at approximately 1 P.M., the Santa Barbara Police Department was dispatched to a tobacco retailer in the 4000 Block of Calle Real in the City, for a robbery that had just occurred. 

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male wearing a surgical mask and dark clothing. He produced a semi-automatic pistol and demanded cash and marijuana “bongs,” while threatening to shoot the victim/clerk. 

The suspect fled and was last seen entering a vehicle through a back alley. A security video was discovered in the area and captured a female getaway driver. 

Officers and Detectives investigated possible leads.  On April 10th, while serving search warrants in San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara Police Detectives located both the male suspect and the female getaway driver.

Live ammunition and a replica handgun were also recovered, as was some of the marijuana paraphernalia taken in the robbery. 

The male suspect, Eddie Aldo Martinez-Brito, age 22, an Atascadero resident, was booked in Santa Barbara County Jail for 211 PC robbery and 422 PC criminal threats.  Charges of 32/211PC, accessory to robbery, were referred to the District Attorney for the female driver.

Code 211pc: Armed robbery using a gun at 4020 Calle Real. The suspect was wearing a medical mask.