Police Officer Injured While Arresting Suspected Prowler
Update by the Santa Barbara Police Department
On March 3, 2022, around 1:00 am, the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Combined Communication Center received a report from a homeowner in the 3000 block of Calle Noguera about a suspicious subject prowling on the rear patio of their home.
The homeowner awoke to unusual noises in their backyard and observed a male dressed in all dark clothing lurking around their home. The homeowner called 9-1-1 to report the incident and multiple officers responded. One officer observed a subject matching the description of the prowler in the area. When the officer attempted to detain the subject, the subject fled on foot. One officer gave chase to the fleeing suspect, later identified as 40-year-old transient Justin Howze Juniel, who ran towards State Street.
Officers converged on Juniel around State Street and Calle Crespis. The officer involved in the foot pursuit gave multiple verbal commands, however Juniel failed to comply and continued fleeing. When Officers were able to catch up to him, he started to physically fight the officers. Officers utilized control holds to take custody of Juniel.
During the investigation, another resident informed police that Juniel had attempted to gain access into their home by trying to open a rear door. The investigation resulted in probable cause to arrest Juniel for Prowling.
While Juniel was fighting with Officers, one of them was seriously injured and was taken to Cottage Hospital Emergency Room for treatment. The officer suffered a broken hand while trying to take Juniel into custody. The officer is currently on medical leave. Another officer sustained abrasions to their knees and was able to return to duty.
Juniel sustained a minor injury and was treated by paramedics on scene. He was booked in the Santa Barbara County Jail for Prowling (misdemeanor) and Resisting a Police Officer by Force (felony). Juniel also had an outstanding felony arrest warrant. His bail is set at $100,000.
Brief Foot Pursuit near State & Calle Laureles
Reported by ScannerAndrew
1:16 a.m., March 3, 2022
Police have arrested a subject after fleeing from police on foot
16 Comments
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Mar 03, 2022 01:17 AMThe suspect was involved in a hot prowl burglary at a home near Calle Noguera and Calle Palo Colorado. The suspect was seen in the backyard. The suspect was then spotted near State & Calle Laureles and then fled from police.
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Mar 03, 2022 01:18 AMThe suspect ran SB on State. and barely a minute later they caught him.
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Mar 03, 2022 09:35 AMIf suspect was seen in the home (burglary), in the yard only (prowling). Either way it's a good arrest as no telling what the suspect was up to.
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Mar 03, 2022 05:33 PMWay more important for the City Council to focus on Chic fila up in the Roke.
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Mar 03, 2022 10:18 PMSuch a weird thing to say. You know police abandon a traffic stop when a more emergent crime happens, right?
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Mar 04, 2022 10:31 AMI think Steve is saying city council should be more concerned about the increased crime in the San Roque area, rather than Chick-Fil-A. Not that LE presence at Chick-Fil-A took from the response to this particular call.
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Mar 03, 2022 06:12 PMNot sure what "prowling" is in the CA penal code. More like trespass I think. But whatever, this is why we have police and a legal process. Good work by the cops and best wishes to the injured officer(s). Thanks.
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Mar 03, 2022 07:28 PMThis is not prowling...if it was in deed a hot prowl, that means someone is in the house or trying to get in while there is a person already in the house. Plain and simple, just like Doulie said. How about look it up in stead of conjecture.
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Mar 03, 2022 08:07 PMCops are getting hurt due to the ramifications of using force. Clubs, dogs and mace should be utilized as should fire arms if the threat is life-threatening. I hope the officer recovers quickly - we need them!
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Mar 04, 2022 05:16 AMCW loves violence.
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Mar 04, 2022 09:17 AM@MARCELK- The perpetrator started the "violence", the officers have the right to protect themselves and go back to their families and jobs unhurt. Getting "violent" is sometimes required to protect yourself FROM violence. Sorry to burst your starburst world.
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Mar 04, 2022 11:47 AMCOASTWATCH - sounds like they used appropriate force to subdue him. If he was armed, it would have been another story.
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Mar 03, 2022 08:22 PMANOTHER AWESOME JOB FROM THE SBPD!!! Seriously the best police force in the country and probably the toughest!!! THEY DONT HAVE TO KILL TO ARREST!!!
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Mar 03, 2022 08:53 PMGlad this dirt-bag never made it into anyone's home. Sorry to hear an officer was injured. Good work police!
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Mar 04, 2022 09:16 AMI had someone arrested for prowling, and he was convicted. This incident started at 1:55 AM when he rang my doorbell and asked if I had seen his sister. The video showed he cased my property before ringing the doorbell. I was downstairs watching TV. He was very surprised when I answered the door.
At 4:55 PM the next day he walked straight up and rang my doorbell. I called 911 as I have been instructed to do by SBSO. I then answered the door over the intercom. He was incoherent and muttered something like "your in my house", or "get out of my house". He then went across my front patio, over a 4' retaining wall, tried the (locked) doors on a black BMW parked in the neighbor's driveway, and walked out of video surveillance view.
He was convicted and spent 6 months in jail.
I have many video cameras on my property. Pertinent videos were shared with SBSO. I also put out a neighborhood watch flyer with his pictures from video captures thereon.
As I passed out the flyer to the neighborhood, I learned that he had been in several other people's homes, of which I took notes. On the strength of my videos and notes, and my report to SBSO about what neighbors said, he was arrested. I did not have to appear in court.
A year (or so) later, I saw sheriff's cars in the street out in front. They had him seated on the curb, and I talked with the officers. He was on probation in San Diego for prowling, but Santa Barbara SO couldn't detain him since they did not have a copy of the probation papers. They very strongly suggested to him that he go back to San Diego pronto. I don't know if this incident was reported to San Diego probation.
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Mar 04, 2022 11:31 AMWow. These nutbags need to be taken off the streets for the protection of the public and themselves.