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 fitness director’s office.

After a short standoff, the suspect exited the office, dropped the baton and was taken into custody. Deputies report that the man was combative, including spitting in a deputy’s face.

A subsequent search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed multiple weapons, including a loaded handgun, swords, and escrima-style fighting sticks.

The suspect, identified as 70-year-old Chris Ernest Wiedmann of Carpinteria, was booked at the Main Jail on felony obstruction charges, along with several misdemeanor charges including brandishing a weapon, battery on a peace officer, possession of a baton, trespassing, and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. He is being held on $150,000 bail.