Full Notification

In February 2015 officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department made 37 arrests for driving under the influence violations. Arrests are made each month when concerned citizens call 9-1-1 after witnessing possible DUI drivers. The SBPD would like to thank the responsible citizens who take the time to call and report suspected drunk drivers. The following is information on a few of last month’s cases.

2/1/15 at 11:26 p.m.: Arthur Joseph Munoz (age 37) was observed driving at night without lights on by Officer Rapp. Officer Rapp conducted a traffic stop on 1700 State Street, contacted Munoz, and noticed that he had slurred speech, an odor of alcohol, and red watery eyes. Officer Rapp asked Munoz if he had been drinking and Munoz stated that he had consumed several glasses of champagne prior to driving. Officer Rapp became concerned Munoz had too much alcohol to safely operate a motor vehicle, conducted a DUI investigation, and subsequently arrested him for DUI. Munoz refused to complete a chemical test, prompting Officer Rapp to obtain a search warrant for a sample of his blood. Munoz was subsequently transported to County Jail where a blood test was performed which registered his BAC at .14. Munoz was booked into County Jail.

2/6/15 at 4:13 a.m.: Michael Willard Strand (age 25) was involved in a single-vehicle hit-and-run collision when he struck a fire hydrant at 2800 Cliff Drive, shearing off the hydrant and sending a geyser of water thirty-five feet into the air. Strand fled the scene prompting passersby to call 9-1-1. Officer Ingram located Strand and conducted a traffic stop on his car. Strand smelled strongly of alcohol and Officer Tudor responded to conduct a DUI investigation. Strand initially denied being involved in the collision, however later acknowledged that he had backed into the hydrant and then fled the scene. Strand stated that he had consumed one 12-ounce Budweiser beer prior to driving. Officer Tudor determined that Strand was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle. Strand was placed under arrest for DUI and he chose to submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .28 and .28, more than three times the legal limit. Strand was booked at County Jail for DUI and hit-and-run.

2/9/15 at 9:39 p.m.: Pedro A. Cruz (age 41) was observed by Officer Barriga weaving, lane straddling, and striking the curb on 900 Chapala Street and 100 W. Carrillo Street. Officer Barriga conducted a traffic stop on Cruz and upon contacting him noticed that he smelled strongly of alcohol. Officer Rapp arrived and they had Cruz step out of his vehicle in order to conduct a DUI investigation. The officers discovered that Cruz was on probation for DUI and was only permitted to drive vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock system, which was not present in the car he was driving. Cruz completed a voluntary Preliminary Alcohol Screen (PAS) test which registered his BAC at .19. Cruz became uncooperative with the investigation and even attempted to unzip his pants and urinate on the street in full view of the public. Officer Rapp and Officer Barriga attempted to take Cruz into custody when he violently resisted, prompting four other officers to respond to assist. Cruz was eventually handcuffed and transported to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital where he submitted to a blood test which registered his BAC at .16. Cruz was booked into County Jail for DUI, violation of probation, ignition interlock required, and resisting an officer with violence or threat of violence.

2/15/15 at 12:41 a.m.: Manuel Gonzalez Quintero (age 36) was the subject of a disturbance call outside of a residence on the 900 block of San Pascual Street. The reporting party indicated that Quintero had been drinking. As Officer Corral and Officer Melchor arrived on scene, Gonzalez attempted to drive away in his vehicle. Officer Corral conducted a traffic stop and contacted Gonzalez who was displaying signs of intoxication including thick slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. Officer Corral conducted a DUI investigation on Gonzales who stated that he had only consumed water. Gonzalez was placed under arrest for DUI and he chose to submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .19 and .20. Gonzalez was issued a citation for DUI and unlicensed driver.

2/18/15 at 4:17 a.m.: Timothy Eldon Cronshaw (age 20) was the subject of a 9-1-1 call when a citizen on Canon Drive thought that she heard the sound of a motor vehicle collision. Officer Gaston arrived on scene and noticed that numerous trash cans in the area had been knocked over; however the involved vehicle was nowhere to be found. Approximately 15 minutes later a similar 9-1-1 call was received from Calle Noguera where a citizen observed a vehicle being intentionally driven into trash cans. Officer Gaston responded and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle which was operated by Cronshaw. Cronshaw displayed symptoms of intoxication and stated that he was hitting trashcans because he was “trying to be funny.” Cronshaw stated that he had consumed 6 to 8 beers prior to driving and further elaborated that he felt “hammered.” Officer Gaston conducted a DUI investigation and had Cronshaw submit to a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test, which an officer may require of a driver under the age of 21 if they are suspected of being under the influence. The PAS test registered Cronshaw’s BAC at .233. At the conclusion of the investigation Cronshaw was placed under arrest for DUI and he submitted to an evidentiary breath test which registered his BAC at .20 and .20. He was issued a citation for DUI.