Articles Tagged With ‘Santa Maria Police Department’




Men accused of murdering Marilyn Pharis to appear in court

The two men accused of sexually assaulting and murdering Santa Maria woman Marilyn Pharis, 64, are due to appear in court this week for preliminary hearings. [KSBY] Last week, Santa Barbara County prosecutors announced they would not pursue the death... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria chief admits to fabricating news, local press angry

Santa Maria Police Chief Ralph Martin has admitted to fabricating a story about two Guadalupe men being arrested for identity theft, a tale local media subsequently reported. Martin said he made up the story in order to save the lives... (Continue reading)

Deputies break up Santa Maria cockfight

Acting on an anonymous tip, law enforcement officers broke up a cockfighting tournament taking place east of Santa Maria on Sunday, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The tournament allegedly attracted individuals from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and... (Continue reading)

Did Santa Maria police set a suspect’s house on fire?

The Santa Maria Police Department SWAT team put an end to a multi-hour standoff by firing chemical agents into a domestic violence suspect’s home. Shortly after the chemicals were deployed, the house caught on fire, according to the police department.... (Continue reading)

Burglar cuts hole in Santa Maria bank wall, steals cash

A burglar broke into a business adjacent to a Santa Maria bank early Monday morning. He then cut a hole in the adjoining wall, entered the bank, took money and escaped. At approximately 5:15 a.m., surveillance footage captured the burglar... (Continue reading)

Nipomo man stabbed to death in Santa Maria

A 42-year-old Nipomo man was stabbed to death in Santa Maria Sunday evening. The killing marks the 10th homicide in the city this year. Around 8:41 p.m., Santa Maria police received a call about a stabbing in the 500 block... (Continue reading)

Homeless woman stabbed in Santa Maria

A homeless was stabbed early Monday while she was camping in a trashcan enclosure behind two businesses in Santa Maria. Police said the woman suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, but she is reportedly recovering from surgery. [KSBY] Santa Maria police and... (Continue reading)

Man killed in fall from Santa Maria Mall parking garage

A body was discovered Saturday afternoon on the road outside the Santa Maria Town Center parking garage. Police investigators have not yet said whether they suspect the cause of the fall to be accidental or criminal. At about 5:15 p.m.,... (Continue reading)

Teen murdered in Santa Maria

An 18-year-old male died Saturday from a fatal stabbing in Santa Maria, the city’s eighth murder in 2016, police said. Shortly before 5 p.m., police responded to the 900 block of West McElhaney Avenue and discovered Luis Alberto Castaneira suffering from... (Continue reading)

Family of man killed by police files claim against Santa Maria

Family members of a 31-year-old man who was shot and killed last month by Santa Maria police officers have filed a claim against the city. The family is seeking $3 million in damages and mandatory training for officers on handling... (Continue reading)