SMPD Officers arrest armed suspect, recover cache of weapons and ammunition 
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, at approximately 3:18 a.m., Santa Maria Police Officers were investigating a reported robbery in the 1000 block of North Broadway when they heard several gunshots northeast of their location. Officers and nearby residents reported hearing between five and eight shots.
Responding officers located a male subject who matched the description of a suspect from a recent assault. The suspect was found wearing body armor and armed with two loaded handguns. Officers detained the suspect and identified him as 23-year-old Santa Maria resident Emmanuel Munguia Zaragoza.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Zaragoza’s residence, where they discovered a stockpile of weapons and a large quantity of ammunition. All items were seized as evidence.
Zaragoza was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail in Santa Maria for multiple weapons violations and remains in custody.
The Santa Maria Police Department is committed to protecting the safety of our community and will continue to actively investigate and address violent crime.
Case: SMPD25-0012323
Authored by:
Todd Logan, Patrol Lieutenant
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria, Ca., 93455
(805) 928-3781 ext 2277
Address/Location
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-928-3781