On February 13, 2026, at approximately 7:20 p.m., detectives with the Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team (GST) arrested a parolee and recovered a loaded firearm following a brief foot pursuit in the Pine Street area.
While patrolling near the 200 block of West Orange Street, GST detectives observed three individuals walking in the area. As detectives approached, one individual immediately fled on foot. Detectives pursued the suspect and observed him repeatedly grabbing his waistband while running.
As the suspect entered an apartment complex on Pine Street, he threw a firearm over a fence into a nearby backyard. The suspect was apprehended shortly afterward without incident and was identified as 22-year-old Santa Maria resident Gregorio Morales.
Officers recovered a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver containing three spent shell casings and two live rounds.
Morales is a convicted felon currently on parole and is a documented gang member.
Morales was booked into the Santa Barbara North County Jail on the following charges:
- PC 29800(a)(1) – Felony – Felon/addict in possession of a firearm (weapons law violation)
- PC 30305(a)(1) – Felony – Prohibited person in possession of ammunition (weapons law violation)
- PC 148(a)(1) – Misdemeanor – Resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer
- PC 3056 – Felony – Parole violation
- PC 25400(a)(2) – Felony – Carrying a concealed firearm on a person (weapons law violation)
- PC 29815(a) – Felony – Convicted person in possession of a firearm (probation restriction)
This incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department.
SMPD26-0002446
