Full Notification

Ellwood Elementary School in the City of Goleta was placed on lockdown for approximately 20 minutes today, May 16, 2018, following an incident with a transient. At approximately 10:50 a.m., 33-year-old Sidney Aldana walked into the school office carrying a backpack and asked for help. He made a suicidal statement and locked himself in the office bathroom. School Administrators quickly put the school on lockdown and called 911 to report the incident.

Sheriff’s deputies immediately responded and talked to Aldana through the locked bathroom door. He cooperated with deputies and within minutes came out of the bathroom. Aldana was detained and determined to have a Ventura County warrant for a failure to appear on a petty theft charge. A search of his backpack revealed that he was in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Aldana was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail for his outstanding warrant and for possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on $7,500 bail. While in custody, mental health services will be provided to Aldana.

The Sheriff’s Office worked closely with administrators at Ellwood School and the Goleta Unified School District to ensure the safety of the students and staff.

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