By the Santa Maria Police Department
Case #SMPD23-0006766
On June 19, 2023, officers were sent to a business in the 700 block of Artic Ave. regarding a theft report. The investigation revealed that an employee, 39-year-old Matthew Shoemake, had embezzled a large quantity of computers and computer components from the business. The total value of the embezzled items were estimated at approximately $20,000.00.
The Detective Bureau took over the investigation. The Property Crimes Unit obtained a search warrant for a storage locker belonging to Shoemake in the 1900 block of Preisker Lane.
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Shoemake was contacted by police at his storage space on Preisker Lane and taken into custody without incident. Detectives subsequently served a search warrant and searched Shoemake’s rented storage space. Computers and computer components stolen in this case were recovered from the scene.
Shoemake was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on felony embezzlement and theft charges.
Several computers, laptops and other components are still outstanding. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Servin at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 1367 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
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Embezzlement usually involves money so I suspect there’s more to this incident leading the agency to stay away from a grand theft charge. Regarding the search warrant the agency does write ” – components stolen [didn’t write embezzled] in this case were recovered from the scene.” Arrested at his storage space (and then) they requested a search warrant for and searched the storage space?