Santa Maria Police Department makes robbery arrest.
On Monday, November 4, 2019, at about 1945 hours, Santa Maria Police Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a local liquor store, located in the 1500 block of S. Broadway. During their investigation, officers were told that a male suspect walked into the store displaying a handgun. The suspect took an alcoholic beverage from a cooler and walked out of the store, while displaying the handgun and refusing to pay for the item.
As officers were searching the business for evidence and witnesses, a male subject, later identified as 28 year old Santa Maria resident Anthony Prado, walked up to the business. Believing he matched the description of the robbery suspect, officers detained Prado. Those that witnessed the robbery positively identified Prado as the suspect.
At about the time of his arrest, a second robbery victim contacted the police department and reported Prado stole some personal property from her local motel room and brandished a firearm at her when she tried to retrieve the stolen item.
Officers searched surrounding areas for the firearm used during the commission of these crimes. They located a pellet gun about a block away that had been discarded by Prado. The pellet gun looked like an actual handgun.
Prado was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on two separate counts of robbery, with each crime having a bail amount of $100,00.00.
Prepared by: Lt. Terry A. Flaa
Address/Location
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-928-3781