Full Notification

Just after midnight on September 4, 2016, a Sheriff’s Sergeant observed a suspect stealing items out of the Operation Medicine Cabinet kiosk located in front of Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Coastal Station in the City of Carpinteria. The suspect was using a homemade cord and fishing hook to remove syringes, medications and other controlled substances that were inside the cabinet.

The suspect was contacted and identified as being 46-year-old Christian Kulbe of Santa Barbara. He was taken into custody. Stolen medications and syringes along with his “fishing” device were seized as evidence. Kulbe was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges which included possession of stolen property, petty theft, possession of burglary tools, prowling and possession of controlled substances. His bail was set at $2,500.

It is important to note that members of the public should not place sharps of any sort into the Operation Medicine Cabinet drop-boxes. To do so, jeopardizes the safety of the program and its mission to safely dispose of medication in Santa Barbara County. Medicine should be in its original packaging if possible. Loose powders and pills must be sealed in a Ziploc bag.

Operation Medicine Cabinet is a joint partnership between the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Barbara County Public Works - Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division. The Operation Medicine Cabinet drop boxes are open 24 hours a day and are located at the following Sheriff’s stations.

Carpinteria at 5775 Carpinteria Ave.
Buellton at 140 W. Highway 246
Santa Barbara at 4434 Calle Real
Solvang at 1745 Mission Dr
Goleta at 7042 Market Place Dr.
Santa Maria at 812-A West Foster Rd.
Isla Vista at 6504 Trigo Rd.
Lompoc at 3500 Harris Grade

The City of Carpinteria contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for Police Services.