Three Arrested for Attempted Murder

In investigating the murder of 17-year-old Lorenzo Carachure, who was killed in a gang stabbing last year, Santa Barbara police have uncovered and arrested three suspects in an unrelated case. The three – Robert Martinez, 22, of Santa Barbara, Joel Robles, 22, of Ventura, and Carl Flores Jr., 26, of Lompoc-were arrested for conspiracy to commit homicide and participation in a criminal street gang. According to the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte, all three are known gang members.

A release from Duarte didn’t elaborate on the case other than to say it was unrelated to the Carachure murder. In a phone interview, Duarte said someone was identified as being a target. He said he didn’t know when the alleged conspiring took place, but said an arrest warrant was obtained for the three, who were arrested Wednesday.

Martinez was arrested at his home on North Soledad Street, while Robles was arrested in Ventura and Flores, Jr. was arrested during a traffic stop in Lompoc. All three are being held in Santa Barbara County Jail on $1 million bail.