Stolen Cars and Property Found in Carpinteria, Four Suspects Arrested
Four suspects were arrested by Sheriff’s deputies early this morning, April 9, following the discovery of four stolen cars at a motel parking lot in Carpinteria and a motel room filled with suspected stolen property. The suspects include 22-year-old Jose Francisco Gonzales of Santa Barbara, 21-year-old Cesar Ortega of Goleta, 23-year-old Christian Juarez of Santa Barbara and 18-year-old Cristal Landa of Santa Barbara.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., a sheriff’s deputy was conducting a premises check to the rear of a motel located in the 4200 block of Via Real when he noticed two subjects sitting inside a parked Toyota sedan with paper plates. The deputy made contact with the suspects, conducted a records check and learned that the vehicle was recently reported stolen out of the City of Goleta. Three other vehicles reported stolen out of both Santa Barbara and the unincorporated area were found in the parking lot as well.
Sheriff’s deputies were able to quickly locate the motel room where the suspects were staying and found two additional suspects inside. The room was searched and a large amount of suspected stolen property including electronics, firearms, musical equipment and other items were located. During the search, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were also found. Three of the subjects provided false identities to conceal warrants for their arrests.
Gonzalez was booked on charges of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, vehicle theft and possession of concentrated cannabis. Ortega was booked on charges of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, vehicle theft, possession of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, providing false identity to a peace officer and two warrants for probation violation and narcotics charges. Juarez was booked on charges of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and providing false identity to a peace officer as well as two warrants for theft and narcotics charges. Landa was booked on charges of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, vehicle theft, false identity to a peace officer as well as one warrant for a probation violation.
All suspects were booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail requested at $150,000.00.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who has information regarding this case or the suspects involved to call 805-683-2724 or to leave an anonymous tip, call 805-681-4171.
The City of Carpinteria and the Sheriff’s Office reminds vehicle owners to utilize anti-theft devices, lock their vehicle doors/windows and keep their valuables out of plain view.
The City of Carpinteria contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services.
Address/Location
Santa Barbara County Sheriff
4434 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-681-4192