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Deputies Arrest Three After Early-Morning Cannabis Farm Burglary
Wednesday 02/04/2026
Carpinteria, Calif. – Sheriff’s deputies have arrested three suspects in connection with a burglary at a cannabis farm. On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at approximately 2:57 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 4500-block of Foothill Road for a reported burglary in progress. Within minutes, deputies were advised that the suspects had fled the area in…
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Deputies Arrest Three Suspects Following Suspicious Activity at Home Depot
Thursday 01/29/2026
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested three suspects after responding to a report of suspicious circumstances at Home Depot in the 6900-block of Marketplace drive. A concerned customer called Sheriff’s dispatch reporting two men inside a parked blue Jeep Cherokee put on ski masks and crouch down after dropping off a third individual who entered…
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Custody Sergeant Arrested for Fraud Following Criminal Investigation
Thursday 01/29/2026
Santa Barbara, Calif. – Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested a Custody Sergeant following a criminal investigation that revealed significant timecard fraud. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, detectives arrested 34-year-old Segun Ogunleye at his residence in Ventura on a felony warrant. Ogunleye faces criminal charges including embezzlement of public funds, forgery, and grand theft,…
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Carpinteria Man Arrested After Barricade Incident at Golf Course
Wednesday 01/28/2026
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Carpinteria man Tuesday afternoon following a brief barricade situation at Birnam Wood Golf Club. On January 27, 2026, deputies were called to the golf course after reports of a man threatening people while armed with a side-handled baton. When deputies arrived, they located the suspect barricaded inside the…
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Santa Maria Man Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse; Detectives Seek Additional Survivors
Tuesday 01/27/2026
Santa Maria, Calif. – Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a Santa Maria man on multiple felony charges related to the sexual abuse of children and are urging any additional survivors to come forward. Detectives began investigating 79-year-old Ernest James Lattimer in 2019 when survivors came forward to report sexual abuse that occurred at an in-home childcare…
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Deputies Arrest Three Suspects Following Suspicious Activity at Home Depot. Read more here:
Deputies Arrest Three Suspects Following Suspicious Activity at Home Depot – Santa Barbara County...
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
www.sbsheriff.org
Custody Sergeant Arrested for Fraud Following Criminal Investigation. Read more here:
Custody Sergeant Arrested for Fraud Following Criminal Investigation – Santa Barbara County...
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
www.sbsheriff.org
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🚔✨ Ever wondered what happens behind the badge?
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for our Community Academy—a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara County!
👮♂️ What you’ll experience:
📜 History of law enforcement
⚖️ Criminal law & patrol tactics
🗣️ De-escalation communication
🧪 Forensic evidence collection
This program is perfect for community members who want to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office—or anyone considering a future in law enforcement. Get an inside look at what it truly takes to serve and protect our communities.
📅 Class Schedule:
🗓️ Begins Monday, March 2, 2026
⏰ Mondays from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. through May 4, 2026
📍 Primarily at the Lompoc Substation, with some sessions in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria
🎉 Graduation BBQ/Luncheon: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚠️ Space is limited and classes fill quickly!
📝 Apply by Monday, February 16, 2026
🔞 Must be 18 years or older
👉 Apply now at www.sbsheriff.org or email 📧 CommunityAcademy@sbsheriff.org with questions.
🚓 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and educational experience!
Congratulations to Acting Lieutenant Neil Gowing (center) on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! 🎓👏 This achievement reflects months of intensive leadership training focused on ethical decision-making, effective supervision, accountability, and leading with integrity. We’re proud of Acting Lieutenant Gowing’s commitment to professional growth and thankful for the leadership he brings back to our agency and the community we serve. 💙🚓
Congratulations to the 12 members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office who were officially promoted today 👏⭐
This ceremony recognized dedicated professionals from across the organization, including three key additions to the executive leadership team:
Undersheriff Brad Welch
Chief Deputy Kevin Huddle
Custody Chief Deputy Ryan Sullivan
Each brings decades of experience spanning patrol, investigations, custody operations, and executive command—strengthening the leadership of our agency at every level.
Also honored were newly promoted commanders, lieutenants, sergeants, and professional staff, whose leadership and commitment support our mission every day.
“These promotions reflect the caliber of our people and the rigor of the process,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Those who advance have earned the confidence of this organization.”
As they step into their new roles, these leaders are charged with upholding the values behind the word SHERIFF:
Service • Honor • Ethics • Respect • Integrity • Fairness • Faithfulness ⭐
🔈Audio on for a BOL from our Communications Dispatch Center 🎅🏼👀
🚨 Public Service Announcement: Text to 911 🚨
📍 Santa Barbara County, including UCSB properties
Call if you can. Text if you can’t.📱Dispatchers are available and ready to help 👩💻👨💻
A voice call is still the fastest and most effective ☎️
Text to 911 is essential for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired ♿
It is critical in dangerous situations where speaking out loud could put you at risk ⚠️
It can help during medical emergencies when you cannot speak 🏥
During major network disruptions, texts may go through even when calls fail 📶
📌 Tips for Using Text to 911:
Text your exact location so help can be sent quickly 📍
Use clear, plain language
Avoid emojis, slang, or abbreviations in your text
Send a one-on-one message. Group texts do not reach 911
Text to 911 is for emergencies only
📲 Text to 911- Help is just a message away.
☕👮♂️ Join us for Coffee with a Cop in Orcutt!
The Sheriff`s Office is teaming up with Gina’s Piece of Cake for a relaxed, no-agenda meet-up on Saturday, December 20, from 9–11 a.m. Swing by, grab a free cup of drip coffee, and chat with the deputies who serve your community — including Community Resource Deputy Shawn Banks.
These casual conversations help us stay connected, hear what matters to you, and build stronger relationships one cup at a time.
📍 Gina’s Piece of Cake — 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt
🕘 Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9–11 a.m.
🍵 Free drip coffee for attendees!
We hope to see you there! #CoffeeWithACop #Orcutt #SBSheriff
🎓✨ Congratulations to Community Academy Class 25-2!
Over the past several weeks, this incredible group learned about everything from investigations and patrol operations to custody, communications, and the many specialty units that keep our county safe. 🚓
Programs like this help build a stronger, more connected community by opening doors, answering questions, and creating partnerships that last long after graduation. 🤝💛
We’re grateful for your time, curiosity, and commitment to understanding how your Sheriff’s Office serves you.
👏🎉 Great job, Class 25-2!
Today we celebrated four new deputies upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Academy! 🎓💛 Big congratulations to Deputies Durnin, Pursifer, Weber, and Woolley — and an extra round of applause for Deputy Woolley, who received the Leadership Award! 👏⭐
