Advisory
Robbery & Murder Investigation Update - Suspects Arrested
Robbery & Murder Investigation Update - Suspects Arrested 
LATEST NEWS BRIEF – May 1, 2024
Case: SMPD23-0014910
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at about 4:30 PM, Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) officers were sent to the 500 block of W. Cook Street regarding a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers learned a shooting had occurred during a large residential gathering.
Two adult males at the scene were confirmed to have suffered gunshot wound injuries. One subject, 33-year-old Joshua Anthony Maldonado, died at the scene. The second injured subject was transported to the hospital and treated for critical injuries.
The Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene. The Detective Bureau took over this investigation that has remained active and ongoing. The investigation revealed this shooting was a result of a botched armed robbery attempt. Detectives learned that the decedent in this case, Joshua Maldonado, and 33-year-old Santa Maria resident Andrew Paul Garcia, attempted to rob persons at the large gathering by gunpoint before the shooting occurred. Garcia is suspected of shooting both the party goer that survived the critical injuries and his associate Maldonado during the botched robbery attempt.
Detectives also learned that 44-year-old Santa Maria resident Arnulfo Villavicencio-Ramirez and 34-year-old Santa Maria resident David Olaf Barajas participated and conspired in the robbery.
Subsequently, multiple arrest and search warrants were sought and issued.
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and Wednesday, May 1, 2024, SMPD Detectives, with assistance from the SMPD SWAT Team and Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau, conducted a warrant service operation targeting multiple locations within the City (1700 block N. Russell, 400 block N. Western & 500 block E. Riddering Court).
As a result, Arnulfo Villavicencio-Ramirez and Andrew Paul Garcia were taken into custody on arrest warrants and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail. David Barajas is currently in California State Prison on unrelated charges and will be charged in this case as well.
Garcia was booked on charges that include Murder, Attempt Murder, Robbery and Conspiracy. Villavicencio-Ramirez was booked on Robbery and Conspiracy charges. Barajas is also being charged with Robbery and Conspiracy.
Anyone with information related to this investigation should contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
Detective Bureau Supervisor
UPDATED NEWS BRIEF – December 21, 2023
Case #: SMPD23-0014910
The victim in the shooting death that occurred in Santa Maria on December 17, 2023, has been identified as 33-year-old Santa Maria resident, Joshua Anthony Maldonado.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives are encouraging anyone that may have been in the area as well as anybody with any potential information related to this investigation to contact the Santa Maria Police Department immediately.
Those with information should contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
The SMPD Tip Line may also be reached anytime at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).
Prepared by:
Trevor Hutton, Sergeant
Detective Bureau Special Victims Unit Supervisor
ORIGINAL NEWS BRIEF – December 18, 2023
Case #: SMPD23-0014910
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at about 4:30 PM, officers were sent to the 500 block of W. Cook Street regarding a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers learned a shooting had occurred during a large residential gathering.
Two adult males at the scene were confirmed to have suffered gunshot wound injuries. One subject died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts. The second injured subject was transported to the hospital with critical injuries but is expected to survive.
The Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene. The Detective Bureau has taken over this investigation that is active and ongoing. Currently no arrests have been made in this case.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
The SMPD Tip Line may also be reached anytime at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
Detective Bureau Supervisor
Case: SMPD23-0014910
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at about 4:30 PM, Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) officers were sent to the 500 block of W. Cook Street regarding a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers learned a shooting had occurred during a large residential gathering.
Two adult males at the scene were confirmed to have suffered gunshot wound injuries. One subject, 33-year-old Joshua Anthony Maldonado, died at the scene. The second injured subject was transported to the hospital and treated for critical injuries.
The Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene. The Detective Bureau took over this investigation that has remained active and ongoing. The investigation revealed this shooting was a result of a botched armed robbery attempt. Detectives learned that the decedent in this case, Joshua Maldonado, and 33-year-old Santa Maria resident Andrew Paul Garcia, attempted to rob persons at the large gathering by gunpoint before the shooting occurred. Garcia is suspected of shooting both the party goer that survived the critical injuries and his associate Maldonado during the botched robbery attempt.
Detectives also learned that 44-year-old Santa Maria resident Arnulfo Villavicencio-Ramirez and 34-year-old Santa Maria resident David Olaf Barajas participated and conspired in the robbery.
Subsequently, multiple arrest and search warrants were sought and issued.
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and Wednesday, May 1, 2024, SMPD Detectives, with assistance from the SMPD SWAT Team and Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau, conducted a warrant service operation targeting multiple locations within the City (1700 block N. Russell, 400 block N. Western & 500 block E. Riddering Court).
As a result, Arnulfo Villavicencio-Ramirez and Andrew Paul Garcia were taken into custody on arrest warrants and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail. David Barajas is currently in California State Prison on unrelated charges and will be charged in this case as well.
Garcia was booked on charges that include Murder, Attempt Murder, Robbery and Conspiracy. Villavicencio-Ramirez was booked on Robbery and Conspiracy charges. Barajas is also being charged with Robbery and Conspiracy.
Anyone with information related to this investigation should contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
Detective Bureau Supervisor
UPDATED NEWS BRIEF – December 21, 2023
Case #: SMPD23-0014910
The victim in the shooting death that occurred in Santa Maria on December 17, 2023, has been identified as 33-year-old Santa Maria resident, Joshua Anthony Maldonado.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives are encouraging anyone that may have been in the area as well as anybody with any potential information related to this investigation to contact the Santa Maria Police Department immediately.
Those with information should contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
The SMPD Tip Line may also be reached anytime at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).
Prepared by:
Trevor Hutton, Sergeant
Detective Bureau Special Victims Unit Supervisor
ORIGINAL NEWS BRIEF – December 18, 2023
Case #: SMPD23-0014910
On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at about 4:30 PM, officers were sent to the 500 block of W. Cook Street regarding a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers learned a shooting had occurred during a large residential gathering.
Two adult males at the scene were confirmed to have suffered gunshot wound injuries. One subject died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts. The second injured subject was transported to the hospital with critical injuries but is expected to survive.
The Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene. The Detective Bureau has taken over this investigation that is active and ongoing. Currently no arrests have been made in this case.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Whitney at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1329 or the Communications Center at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2277.
The SMPD Tip Line may also be reached anytime at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
Detective Bureau Supervisor
Address/Location
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-928-3781
