Full Notification

WHAT: Arrest for Residential Burglary

WHERE: Orcutt, Ca.

WHEN: May 13, 2015

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Lieutenant John Bledsoe (781-7353)

ARRESTEE: Derek Ryan RODEN 29 year old resident of Santa Maria


On April 18, 2015 between 2:30 AM and 3:30 AM, San Luis Obispo Police believe that Derek Roden broke into a home in the 900 block of Peach, then in the 100 block of Verde. At the Peach residence, a taxi driver who had just dropped off an intoxicated female saw a male subject follow her inside her home. After the door closed behind them, the driver heard the female begin screaming. The taxi driver ran to the door and began pounding on it until the door opened and he came face to face with Roden. Roden was able to get away before officers arrived.

About an hour later a resident in the 100 block of Verde found a male matching Roden’s description inside his residence. He ran out of the home and drove away in a light colored sedan. In both cases, this subject had similar clothing and physical descriptions and was described as a male white wearing a baseball style hat with “CHP” logo. He was also described by one witness as possibly being “mute.”

Based on the suspect’s physical description, clothing, behavior, characteristics, and prior police contacts, an alert SLOPD officer recognized the suspect to be Roden. Roden was later positively identified by one of the victims in this case. An arrest warrant was issued for Roden for these two burglaries in the City of San Luis Obispo. On May 13, 2015 at about 5:30 AM Roden was arrested by a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy at 175 Broadway, in the city of Orcutt. San Luis Obispo PD Detectives drove to Orcutt and took custody of Roden.

During the investigation with Detectives, Roden was uncooperative and appeared to be unable or unwilling to speak or communicate with them in any manner. After claiming a medical issue, Roden was transported to a local hospital where he received medical treatment before being cleared for booking. Roden was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail for the warrant with bail being set at $200,000.

Anyone with additional information regarding the suspicious or illegal activities of Derek Roden is asked to call the San Luis Obispo Police Department or Crime Stoppers.