Full Notification

Santa Barbara Police Detectives have arrested a man in connection with the recent string of armed robberies at downtown parking lot kiosks. Paul Gerald Gradias, age 49, was arrested yesterday February 28, 2012 after detectives obtained Gradias’ name from a citizen tipster who viewed suspect photos released to and distributed by the media. His name was withheld pending further investigation.

Gradias is a longtime Santa Barbara resident, who has recently lived in the state of Washington. Detectives developed enough corroborating evidence to arrest Gradias for armed robbery. Yesterday at 11:30 a.m., police spotted Gradias walking in the 1300 block of Salinas Place. He was arrested without incident. Detectives noted his hair was shaved very short, different than as shown in the video released to the media. A witness later told detectives that Gracias had his hair shaved very short soon after the photos were released. Detectives obtained a photo of Gradias taken on February 6th, 2012, see attached photo. Detectives searched a hotel room in the 2800 block of State Street where Gradias has been staying. They found corroborating evidence, but not the firearm used in the robberies.

Detectives report that following the February 21st robbery to the kiosk attendant located at 1100 Anacapa Street, immediately behind the SB Public Library, witnesses saw Gradias run across the parking lot, down a narrow walkway adjacent to the parking structure, and out toward Figueroa Street. Responding police officers followed the trail and found the orange construction vest and knit cap worn during the robbery. The kiosk attendant reported the knit cap had been pulled over the face like a mask, but the suspect could see through the weave of the fabric. The attendant said a male motorist was driving out of the parking lot just as the suspect approached on foot. A female motorist witnessed the robbery, and briefly followed the suspect as he fled on foot. These two witnesses have not been identified. Detectives would like to speak with these two motorists and anyone else who was in the vicinity of the kiosk on Tuesday, February 21st, between 3:45 and 4:00 p.m.; contact Detective Bryan Jensen at 897-2335.

Yesterday evening, Gradias was booked at SB County Jail for armed robbery, bail set at $100,000.