On March 9, 2025, at 5:21 P.M., Santa Barbara Police Dispatch received a call of a robbery that had just occurred at a surf shop on the first block of State St.
Officers responded quickly and located the suspect walking eastbound along the railroad tracks near the 100 block of Garden St.
The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Santa Barbara resident Michael Gonzalez, who was found in possession of a pocketknife in addition to items taken from the surf shop.
According to the victim, Gonzalez vandalized and shoplifted items from the store. When Gonzalez was confronted in the parking lot by staff, he brandished a knife and then continued eastbound along the railroad tracks.
Gonzalez was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of robbery, vandalism, providing false identification to a police officer, and an outstanding no-bail probation violation warrant.
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Good I know the family who owns said Shop. I’m glad this guy was caught. I hope he learns from his mistake. Unfortunately for him it’s gonna be the hard way. At least SB South County DA’s office used to be hard. Not sure anymore. They used to throw the book at you on a case as they should. Helps people learn you can’t do things like that and be part of society.