Sheriff's Detectives Arrest Suspected Burglar

Santa Maria - April 8th, 2009

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives have tracked down and arrested a burglary suspect who lured his victim through an internet personal ad.

In November, 2008 the victim responded to a personal ad placed by the suspect in the Men-Seeking-Men section of Craigslist. The victim invited the suspect to his home in north Santa Barbara County at which time the suspect stole the victim’s wallet before anything else occurred. The victim, who is in his 50’s, reported the wallet stolen to Sheriff’s Detectives, but he did not know the identity of the suspect.

In March, 2009 the victim was contacted by two local department stores that thanked him for opening a new account with them. The victim contacted SBSO Detectives who, working with the victim, were able to secure photos of the male suspect. The photos were distributed to other law enforcement agencies which were able to identify the suspect as Gabriel Ray Garza (DOB 12-18-79).

On Thursday, April 2, 2009 Detectives served a search warrant at a home on the 1000-block of Golden Drive in Santa Maria. Garza was stopped and detained several blocks away. A search of the home turned up nearly $1,500 worth of items bought with the fraudulent accounts.

Detectives believe Garza targeted other people and encourages anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact Detective Cooley of the Sheriff’s Dept. at 805-934-6176.

Garza was arrested and booked on charges of burglary, forgery, conspiracy and identity theft. He is being held in the Santa Barbara County Jail on $50,000 bail.

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