The vandal who last year plagued Ellwood
Beach Drive by slashing or puncturing the tires on 79 vehicles—all
four tires on each vehicle, for a total of 316 tires in all—pleaded
guilty to the crimes February 15 in Santa Barbara Superior Court.
Judge Joseph Lodge sentenced 45-year-old Patrick Matthew Ortiz of
Goleta to a year in county jail and five years felony probation,
meaning he will be ordered to prison if he breaks the law or
otherwise violates the terms of his probation. Ortiz’s six-month
vandalism spree started in July, 2006 and lasted for six months,
ending with his arrest in December. He has been in custody ever
since.
Goleta Tire-Slasher Sentenced
79 Cars and 316 Tires Later, 45-Year-Old Confesses