On March 9, 2026, at approximately 1 a.m., Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 100 blk. of W. Tunnell Street. During the contact, a firearm was observed inside the vehicle. The driver, Eric Perez,43, of Santa Maria, was detained.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun, a significant quantity of suspected narcotics, and currency consistent with narcotics sales.
Perez was taken into custody without incident and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for multiple felony weapons violations and possession of narcotics for the purpose of sales.
Authored by: Todd Logan, Lieutenant
Santa Maria Police Department
Santa Maria, Ca., 93455
(805) 928-3781 ext 2277
