Sheriff’s Blotter
(Information provided by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department)
Tuesday, 6 February, 8:15 pm – Sheriff’s detectives with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau were patrolling the Montecito disaster area when they observed an SUV leaving Coast Village Road. After the occupants of the vehicle were contacted, it was discovered the ignition was “punched” and the vehicle was being driven with a tool. Sheriff’s detectives suspected the car was potentially stolen or otherwise unlawfully possessed and removed the three occupants from the vehicle. During this process, a spent handgun shell casing was observed on the backseat, causing detectives to believe a firearm was possibly in the vehicle.
The driver, 30-year-old Frank Clark of Port Hueneme, was discovered to be on AB109 Post Release Community Supervision probation out of Ventura County. A vehicle search yielded a large amount of loose ammunition in the backseat and a tactical backpack containing more handgun and assault rifle ammunition. The investigation revealed that the two passengers, 46-year-old Michael Reardon of Santa Barbara and 32-year-old James Wilson of Camarillo, had outstanding warrants for their arrest.
The investigation led detectives to a Santa Barbara hotel in the 1100 block of E. Cabrillo Boulevard where detectives conducted a probation search on two rooms associated with the subjects. Two other suspects were located: 36-year-old Victor Rodriguez of Ventura and 34-year-old Colin Moore of Oxnard, who both had outstanding warrants out of Ventura County.The probation search yielded a Glock handgun, high-capacity handgun magazines, and more ammunition. Detectives conducted further investigation and discovered the firearm and ammunition were stolen that day in residential burglary that occurred in the City of Port Hueneme. SIB detectives are currently working with Port Hueneme Police to identify further crimes that could have been committed by these suspect(s).
All suspects were booked for various charges.
Sunday, February 11, 12:30 am – Sheriff’s Detectives with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau (S.I.B) assigned to patrol the Montecito disaster area observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and failing to obey stop signs in the area of Coast Village Road. Detectives caught up to the vehicle and initiated an enforcement stop. The vehicle failed to yield and entered the US 101 Southbound continuing to drive recklessly.
The vehicle eventually exited into the Summerland area and failed to negotiate a right turn while leaving the freeway. The vehicle crashed onto the Union Pacific train tracks, which caused the passenger’s side front axle to shear off and the vehicle to become disabled. The driver, 40-year-old Rebecca Amaya of Camarillo, failed to comply with verbal commands. Amaya was eventually negotiated away from her vehicle and taken into custody without further incident. A records check revealed Amaya’s driver’s license was suspended, and she is on DUI probation out of Ventura County with a no-alcohol clause.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to help return the community of Montecito to normalcy as soon as possible. While there will be a significant Sheriff’s Office presence in Montecito for the foreseeable future, the Sheriff’s Office is requesting that property owners take action to secure their property, including installing fencing, security cameras, motion-activated outdoor lighting, removing/moving valuables and storing them in a safe place, and boarding up windows, doors, and other access points.
Additional disaster-zone and property security information can be found in the Declared Disaster Zone FAQ available at www.CountyofSB.org and www.SBsheriff.org.
