Full Notification

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Tuesday, July 3, 2018
 
On Monday, July 2 at approximately 9 PM, Santa Barbara Police Department Patrol Officers, a K9 unit, and a Sergeant supervisor, responded to a report of a fight in progress at Haley and Bath Street. 
 
The reporting parties described several subjects exiting a vehicle described as having multiple broken windows.  The individuals commenced to fighting in the street with several juvenile victims, using sticks, pipes, bottles, and “bench” – all used as weapons. According to witnesses, the suspects shouted gang related statements associated with a known local criminal street gang during the incident.
 
The arriving K9 Officer observed the involved silver Jetta occupied by three, driving away from the scene at a high rate of speed.  The Officer pursued the reckless vehicle with lights and siren and initiated a traffic stop in which the driver pulled over.  Other units arrived to assist and a high risk stop was conducted.
 
The three occupants of the vehicle, two juveniles and an adult suspect, initially refused to comply with verbal commands from responding Officers.  Despite their being uncooperative, they were successfully taken into custody without incident.
 
The adult, identified as Omar Marquez, age 18, was booked on numerous felonies including assault and battery, child endangerment, brandishing a weapon, and participating in a local criminal street gang.
 
The two juveniles were booked at Juvenile Hall on miscellaneous charges including participating in a local criminal street gang and probation violations.
 
Additionally, one of the juvenile’s mother, who admitted to allowing her unlicensed / suspended son to drive the involved vehicle, was also cited at the police station for doing so.  This was her second citation for the same violation.