Santa Maria Man Arrested for Making False Bomb Threat

Source: Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office

Just after 10:00 a.m. on May 8, 2017, Guadalupe Police Department officers and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an agricultural area in the 3500 block of W. Main Street to call of a subject who threatened to have a bomb in his vehicle. The subject was also reportedly trying to fight with several individuals on the adjacent farm. 

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they located 34-year-old Jose Landeros of Santa Maria. Landeros told deputies that there was a bomb in his vehicle parked nearby and not to open the door or there would be an explosion. Landeros appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine and was in an extreme paranoid state of mind. He was detained but became resistant when deputies and officers attempted to transport him out of the area.

The Sheriff’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit responded to the scene and a bomb squad robot was utilized to inspect the vehicle. It was determined that there were no explosive devices present.

Landeros was arrested for making a false report of a bomb to law enforcement officers, battery on two peace officers, possession of methamphetamine and controlled substance paraphernalia and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail and booked on these charges. 

During the transport to the jail, Landeros became physically violent resulting in damage to a Sheriff’s patrol car. An additional charge for vandalism is forthcoming.