SBPDPIO
On January 5, 2024, at 12:32 p.m., the Santa Barbara Police Department Combined Communications Center received a report of an altercation stemming from a shoplifting that occurred outside a clothing store in the 700 block of State Street.
A male suspect entered the store, stole a single clothing item, and fled. Approximately 45 minutes later, the suspect returned to the store, where he was confronted about the previous shoplift by a good Samaritan.
The good Samaritan attempted to retrieve the stolen item and was battered by the suspect.
This dispute is what prompted several community members who observed the incident to call 9-1-1.
The victim sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
This is an active investigation, and there is no other information at this time.
I’m still hung up on this line: “The good Samaritan attempted to retrieve the stolen item …”
Not a wise choice.
Trying to apprehend a criminal is not a great idea, especially if it involves theft from a third party. One never knows if the criminal is armed or not or is high on drugs. It is not worth getting maimed or killed to retrieve a stolen item. In the case of assault on another person, one must decide if you are young enough, strong enough and able enough to help and take on the attacker. This is a personal decision that should not be taken lightly.
Absolutely. Putting yourself at risk to defend another person is one thing. Risking harm or worse for a likely insured piece of clothing is just poor judgement. Rail on me all you want, but it’s just an object. All these folks wanting store clerks to be armed so they can kill over property are living in another time. Life is not worth taking or risking over stuff.
zero police presence on State Street. We vist every 6 months and stay at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Shocked. In 4 days. we NEVER see one cop walking or standing on all of State Street from the Wharf to Victoria St. MAYBE twice in the last 3 visits, we saw a cruiser pass. The SBPD is a joke. As is the City Council . Both refuses to address the Drug addicts and aggressive vagrants hanging out on State Street. Since it has been closed to traffic, its a dirt bag magnet. So much for the State Street ‘masterplan’ to revitalize business. Just terrible. How the locals keep voting in these incompetents is a mystery. Mayor Randi Rouse seems to be the only sane voice.
Chalf, unfortunately most of the people who don’t live or spend a lot of time downtown don’t have a problem with the homeless.
It’s total NIMBYism.
When the problem gets so bad that all the way to goleta their are violent bums then those people will shake their fists at the sky and act like they didn’t see this coming
Ditto, Doulie.
Cons exist in a fear-filled parallel, but imaginary universe.