Full Notification

On January 20, 2023 around 1:00 PM, Santa Maria Police received a call of a firearm brandished in the are of 300 block W. Shelia Ln.  Officers began investigating and located two victims of various crimes to include Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Robbery.  Officers were able to develop leads and continued their investigation.

At about 2:15 PM, Detectives located a vehicle believed to be involved in the crimes.  A traffic stop was conducted in the area of 1200 W Bethel Ln.  Two passengers fled from the vehicle and the driver was detained.  One passenger was seen throwing a handgun as he fled the vehicle.

A coordinated search of the area was done with the assistance of SMPD K9.  The two suspects were taken into custody with the help of the K9 and callers from the community.  An additional firearm was located discarded in a backyard where one suspect was located nearby.  Both firearms were determined to be loaded.  Two of the suspects were identified as being involved with the original crime.

A 16-year-old juvenile passenger was booked into Juvenile Hall for Robbery, Conspiracy, Assault with a Deadly Weapon and other various gun charges.  An adult passenger, Julius Clayton Booker Jr, 18 years old and Santa Maria resident was booked for Robbery, Conspiracy, Assault with a Deadly Weapon and other various gun charges.  The other adult was identified as Alvaro Martinez, 18 years old and Santa Maria resident was booked for obstructing/resisting arrest. 

The Santa Maria Police Department extends our appreciation for the concerned citizens who helped officers capture these robbery suspects and reminds everyone to be great witnesses, call 911 immediately and report what they are seeing.

Prepared by: Sergeant Andy Magallon