Santa Barbara police arrested two adult and three juvenile suspects Friday evening after they allegedly robbed two people on bicycles in the Milpas Street area. Two guns were recovered in the arrest.
According to SBPD spokesperson Anthony Wagner, a witness to one of the robberies flagged down an officer, who pulled over the suspect car ― described as a “tan coupe” ― in the Milpas Liquor Deli shopping complex next to Trader Joe’s. The officer ordered the occupants out at gunpoint and multiple police units arrived as backup. The suspects were taken into custody without incident and identified as Lompoc residents. Citing the ongoing investigation, Wagner said he could not release additional details.
Independent contributor Gareth Kelly filmed the arrests. Kelly said approximately 30 people were witness to the incident. The crowd, he said, kept shouting that the suspects were young and that officers should “take it easy.” “There was one guy filming who kept shouting at the cops that this was unnecessary and over the top, and how people who don't live in the neighborhood spread rumors that the neighborhood is dangerous,” Kelly said.
VIDEO | Two Adults, Three Juveniles Arrested for Milpas Armed Robberies