Full Notification

At approximately 9:10 a.m. today, July 21, 2015, Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 4600-block of Sweetbriar Court in Orcutt to a report of a distraught subject who was possibly armed and threatening to harm himself and law enforcement.  When deputies arrived, they discovered 51-year-old Robert Foster of Orcutt in his vehicle parked outside of his residence.  Foster refused to come out of his truck and Sheriff’s deputies observed an unidentifiable object in his hand that they were concerned could be a firearm.  As a precautionary measure, a reverse 911 was sent out to residents in the immediate area advising them to shelter in place. The California Highway Patrol assisted in shutting down Sweetbriar Court and Oak Knoll Road for several blocks.

A Sheriff’s sergeant made contact with Foster on his cell phone and attempted to convince him to peacefully exit his vehicle.  During the conversation, Foster verbally threatened to run deputies over, revved his engine and accelerated towards deputies in a threatening manner.  The Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit, Special Enforcement Team, Hostage Negotiations Team and a K-9 unit were called in to assist.

At approximately 10:40 a.m., Foster exited his vehicle and after speaking with deputies, he attempted to flee into his residence.  In order to prevent Foster from retrieving a weapon or barricading himself inside the residence, deputies deployed a Taser.  While being taken into custody, Foster sustained a head injury and was transported to the hospital and admitted.  Foster will be booked in absentia on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, threatening a peace officer and driving under the influence.

Following the incident, Sheriff’s deputies searched Foster’s vehicle as well as his residence and discovered a .22 caliber rifle inside the home.