Seven Arrests in July Stabbing Death
Men Described as Gang Members or Associates and Prime Suspects in Murder Case
Santa Barbara police announced this morning that they had made seven arrests in a nearly ten-month-old gang-related murder case. On July 16, 2007, officers arrived at the intersection of Ortega and San Pascual streets, where a large fight had been reported. Three young men were stabbed: a 17-year-old, 19-year-old Noe Carachure, and 16-year-old Lorenzo Valentin Carachure, the last of whom died at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital as a result of his wounds.
Police investigation later revealed that Lorenzo Carachure and the other two young men were walking home when they were approached by a large group of other young men. None of the three attacked individuals were armed at the time of the assault, though police did characterize them as “known gang members or gang associates.”
Today, police arrested more young men described as “known gang members of associates.” Among them are 19-year-old Carlos Diaz, 21-year-old Robert Joseph Martinez, 19-year-old Emilio Mora, and four juveniles, each 16 or 17 years old. Police department spokesman Sergeant Lorenzo Duarte said these seven were arrested on charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, and criminal street gang enhancement. Another individual was booked as an accessory to the murder.
A press conference on the matter will be held at the police station on Figueroa Street at 2 p.m.
