Full Notification

Ronald Anthony Beltran, age 39, of Santa Barbara, was arrested for attempted murder, auto theft, hit & run, and resisting or delaying an officer following an altercation with a family member.  The suspect and victim reside together in the same household.

On January 5, 2014 at 11:30 p.m., officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department responded to a call of a vehicle stolen from a residence on the 1100 block of N. Milpas Street.  Upon arrival the victim, a 46-year old male relative of the suspect, reported that Beltran had stolen his truck.  The victim also informed the investigating officers that Beltran had stabbed him during an altercation that occurred earlier in the day.

Investigation revealed that at approximately 3:30 p.m., the victim was attacked by Beltran as the victim was taking a shower.  Beltran brandished a knife, threatened to kill the victim, and stabbed him twice causing superficial stab wounds to the victim’s back.  The victim, assisted by another relative, fought off Beltran who fled the scene.  The victim did not report the incident to the police and continued with his personal business which required him to leave his residence.  Upon returning home at approximately 9:00 p.m., the victim discovered that his truck was missing.  He was informed by a relative that Beltran had returned to the residence, taken the victim’s keys, and fled with his vehicle.  At 11:32 p.m., the CHP informed SBPD Dispatch that the aforementioned stolen truck had been involved in a single-vehicle collision near the 700 block of Old Coast Highway and Highway 101 and then abandoned.

Beltran left his own van parked on the 1100 block of N. Milpas Street when he stole his relative’s truck.  SBPD Officers conducted surveillance of the suspect’s vehicle and the surrounding area and at 12:44 a.m. spotted Beltran walking on the 600 block of N. Milpas Street, possibly making his way back to his van.  Beltran was contacted however he refused to comply with the commands of the officers attempting to detain him.  He was forcefully taken into custody.

Beltran would not reveal his motive for stabbing his relative; thus far the attack appears to have been unprovoked.  Investigation indicates that he took the victim’s truck in order to provoke another confrontation with the victim.  Relatives stated that Beltran had been drinking heavily prior to the incident.

Beltran was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on the aforementioned charges and is being held without bail.  Photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.