Local Businesses Burglarized
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating four recent burglaries at local businesses where the suspects forced entry overnight and stole items. The first incident was Friday, July 23, 2021 in the 5800-block of Hollister Avenue at Old Town Coffee. A suspect smashed a window to gain entry, stole various items from inside the business, and fled prior to deputies’ arrival.
Three additional businesses were burglarized in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 25, 2021. South Coast Deli and Choi’s Market, in the 100-block of South Patterson Avenue, were both victims of burglary where the front glass doors were smashed, items taken, and suspects fled prior to deputies’ arrival around 3 am.
Less than an hour later, at around 3:45 am, Pierre Lafond in the 500-block of San Ysidro Road in Montecito was burglarized with very similar circumstances, where suspects smashed the front glass doors, stole items, and fled the area prior to deputies’ arrival.
Sheriff’s deputies have taken reports for each of these cases and have forwarded them to detectives for follow-up. While detectives review surveillance video and other evidence, they are treating these investigations as separate incidents until they can be linked to the same suspects. Detectives would like to encourage anyone with information about these burglaries to call the Criminal Investigations Bureau at (805) 681-4150. You can also call the anonymous tip line at (805) 681-4171, or submit information online at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.
On Coast Village Road, Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop is reporting the theft of a $7,500 specialized electric bike, which was stolen last Friday at 2 pm. “As a small business new to Montecito, this is a major blow to us,” said the owners of the shop, who said they encountered a similar situation at their store in Monterey earlier this year. In that instance the bike was found within 48 hours. “We have always been so laid back about people demoing our bikes. Our shop manager has over 20 years in the industry and he is beating himself up for this happening on his watch,” the owners wrote in a social media post.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Harrison at the Santa Barbara Police Department at 805-897-2465. The shop is located at 1080 Coast Village Road.
