Law and Disorder 7-31
Santa Barbara police are gearing up once again for a crowded, alcohol-infused Fiesta celebration. While the last two years of Fiesta have seen little gang activity, the town is-for the second consecutive year-less than a month removed from a stabbing murder. Last year’s Fiesta also saw one man killed in an officer-involved shooting. More than 170 officers from several agencies will be patrolling during Fiesta, not including the officers working other Santa Barbara streets.
•
Kim Klein-ex-wife of Michael Klein and mother of Talia Klein, who both died in a December plane crash in Panama-has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on 7/17 on behalf of Talia against her ex-husband’s estate, as well as against Pacificor, the hedge-fund company he operated. The family of Francesca Lewis-Talia’s friend, who survived the crash-also filed a personal injury suit against Klein’s estate, which is now run by his father, Dr. Robert Klein. (/kleinsuit)
•
A nearly 12-hour chase by Sheriff’s deputies ended in the early morning hours on 7/23, after Carpinteria resident Christopher Anderson allegedly sped away from a routine traffic stop around 3 p.m. on 7/22. A high-speed chase ensued, then Anderson fled on foot around the 4500 block of Hollister Avenue. A SWAT team eventually found him hiding in a broom closet in an Auhay Drive home. He was arrested on charges of DUI and felony evasion, among other charges. (/broomcloset)
•
As of press time, search crews had still not found Matthew Wilkinson, 37, a Santa Barbara man who went missing while swimming in the Detroit River on 7/23. According to the Detroit News, Wilkinson was trying to swim across the Trenton Channel.
•
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department’s Criminal Investigative Division is investigating claims that a 20-year-old woman was reportedly sexually assaulted by her cab driver during a ride from downtown to Isla Vista. Details in the matter are scarce, but the incident happened within the past two weeks. The suspect is described as an East Indian man, approximately 23 years old.
•
Police responded to an apparent robbery at the Paseo Nuevo Macy’s on 7/28 by three subjects who forced their way into the store in the early morning. A SWAT team search of the store yielded no suspects, however, and Macy’s staff declined to say what, if anything, was stolen. The investigation resulted in the closure of Ortega Street between Chapala and State streets from 6 to 9 a.m. (/macysrobbery)
•
A year-long investigation by Santa Barbara Police and other law enforcement organizations resulted on 7/27 in the dismantling of an alleged drug- and weapons-trafficking ring. Police withheld details such as names of the participants and the specific crimes committed, however. The investigation is ongoing. (/crimering)
•
Police arrested three men on 7/29 for the theft of catalytic converters. The rate of these emissions control parts being stolen has skyrocketed in Santa Barbara and throughout the state in recent months as a result of the precious rhodium and platinum inside, according to police and local mechanics. The three men were caught in the act on the 200 block of Mohawk Drive after a call was placed to the police. It is unknown if these three had stolen the other missing converters. (/converters731)
