Man Accused of Using Car as Weapon

Trespassing turned into assault with a Toyota Corolla on a ranch in the foothills north of Goleta on Monday morning, when a 65-year-old worker confronted 41-year-old James Raphael Grippo for illegally being on the property only to be later run over by the suspect. Shortly before 11 a.m., the victim saw Grippo alone in his car and confronted him, telling him he was making a citizen’s arrest for trespassing. At first, Grippo was compliant and followed the victim’s car down to the ranch office, but when the victim exited his car, Grippo allegedly went full-speed ahead, knocking the man onto the hood, breaking the windshield, and then flinging him off with a hard brake. Five hours later, Grippo called law enforcement to report the incident, and was then arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was treated at the hospital, and his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.