Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Suspect in Summerland Burglary

[Updated: July 11, 2023, 6:30 p.m.] The suspect from Tuesday morning’s burglary in Summerland  has been apprehended, thanks to a community member who spotted the suspect in the area of Via Real and Santa Monica Road in Carpinteria. Shortly after receiving the call at approximately 1:24 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area and detained 30-year-old Halen Bretz of Santa Barbara. Bretz was positively identified by a witness and is being booked at the Main Jail for brandishing a knife (misdemeanor), burglary (felony), and dissuading a witness (felony). Bretz is being held without bail on a probation detainer.

The Sheriff’s Office said they appreciate community members who were keeping an eye out for this suspect and those who called in to offer information. They said that community assistance was key to the safe and
successful apprehension of this suspect.

[Original Story] The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect in a burglary that occurred at a Summerland residence in the 800 block of Sand Point Road at approximately 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The male intruder — donning a beanie pulled down over his face with a big tear to free his eyes, as well as a mask to cover his chin — had a knife and told workers at the residence not to call 9-1-1.

The suspect fled before deputies arrived. Deputies are requesting that members of the public call the Sheriff’s Office dispatch center at (805) 683-2724 if they spot him. It is unclear if the man is still in possession of the knife that witnesses reported, and the Sheriff’s Office is asking that the public refrain from attempting to contact or detain the suspect. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.