On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., officers responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress in the 1700 block of Tropea Avenue. Officers determined the residence had been burglarized while the occupants were away and that a firearm and vehicle had been stolen.
During the investigation, officers developed information that led them to an apartment complex in the 1200 block of West Bethel Street, where they contacted and arrested Sage Ristich, a 28 year-old, Santa Maria resident.
A search warrant was subsequently obtained for an associated apartment, where officers recovered the stolen firearm. The stolen vehicle was also recovered.
Ristich was booked into the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail on burglary and vehicle theft charges.
Authored By: Todd Logan, Lieutenant
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria, Ca. 93455
(805) 928-3781 ext. 2277
