Alleged Santa Maria car thief arrested for second time in less than a month

September 4, 2026

The gun Sage Ristich allegedly threw out of a vehicle prior to his August arrest

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

For the second time in less than a month, Santa Maria police officers arrested an alleged thief for stealing a vehicle. This time, the suspect allegedly burglarized a residence and stole a firearm, in addition to a car.

At about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress in the 1700 block of Tropea Avenue. Officers determined a suspect had burglarized the home while the occupants were away and stole a gun and vehicle, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.

While investigating, officers developed information that led them to an apartment complex in the 1200 block of West Bethel Street. They contacted 28-year-old Santa Maria resident Sage Ristich at the apartment complex and arrested him.

Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for an associated apartment. Officers recovered the stolen firearm at the apartment. Police also recovered the stolen vehicle.

Authorities booked Ristich in the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail on burglary and vehicle theft charges. 

On Aug. 8, officers responded to the 1200 block of West Bethel Lane over a stolen vehicle report. Shortly afterwards, officers located the vehicle near La Brea Avenue and Blosser Road and attempted to make a traffic stop.

The driver failed to yield. Police then observed the suspect throwing a bag that contained a handgun out of the vehicle.

Eventually, the driver stopped in the 1100 block of West Morrison Avenue. Officers arrested the suspect, whom they identified as Ristich. The victim then identified Ristich as the thief who had stolen his vehicle.