Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
On Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at approximately 6:24 p.m. deputies were dispatched to the 5400-block of Hollister for a 9-1-1 call of a sexual assault that had just occurred. When deputies arrived, they contact the reporting party along with the victim at a nearby business. The reporting party called 9-1-1 after hearing a someone calling out for help and then finding a woman who was partially clothed running toward the business. Deputies quickly learned that the suspect had fled the area in a vehicle just prior to their arrival in a silver colored Volkswagen Beetle. The victim, who had serious injuries, was given medical attention at the scene. The victim described a violent attack and sexual assault that she had narrowly escaped.
Additional deputies responded and searched the surrounding areas for the suspect and vehicle. Approximately 27 minutes later, deputies located the suspect’s unoccupied vehicle in the 900-block of Ward Drive. Five minutes later, at approximately 6:53 p.m., deputies located the suspect, 27-year-old Fidel Lorenzana Lopez, in the 800-block of Ward Drive. Lopez was taken into custody and booked at the Main Jail for attempted murder (felony), assault with intent to commit rape (felony), assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury (felony), false imprisonment (felony), sexual battery (felony), terrorist threats (felony), robbery (felony), dissuading a witness (felony), giving false information to a peace officer (misdemeanor), and battery (misdemeanor). He remains in custody on $1,000,000 bail.
After the initial response and searches, deputies and detectives conducted extensive follow-up on this case, and Forensics Technicians responded to collect and document evidence. There are no outstanding suspects. Anyone with additional information about this incident or the suspect is encouraged to contact Detective Nuñez at (805)681-4150. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can provide information by calling our tip line at (805)681-4171 or online at SBSheriff.org
The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
Where are the mugshots and trials for crimes done by Sheriffs? Nowhere. Settled off the record, nothing to see there. I saw Sheriff Bill with a bit of eyeliner on at a Fiesta mixer a few years back though. Probably something to see there hahah
Excellent work deputies! Thanks for being there and serving the public.
This is a perfect situation to show how insane defunding police is.