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 the store. Deputies responded to the area and contacted the occupants of the vehicle.

The occupants of the vehicle, 26-year-old Malik Brown Asad from Santa Barbara and 37-year-old Nicholas Christopher Dudley from Los Angeles were ordered out of the vehicle. Deputies reported that both individuals were uncooperative during the contact.

As Dudley was removed from the vehicle, deputies observed Asad making furtive movements consistent with attempting to conceal an item in his lap. Deputies then saw a handgun in Asad’s lap. Asad was held at gunpoint until the firearm, which was loaded, was safely secured.

During the investigation, deputies found Dudley in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Asad was found with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and items consistent with drug sales.

Deputies also entered the Home Depot and detained the third individual who had been seen exiting the vehicle earlier. That individual was identified as 46-year-old Ryan Anthony Hammond from Summerland, who was found to be in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

All three suspects were booked at the Main Jail. Asad was booked for felonies including carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm as well as misdemeanor drug charges. He is being held on $50,000 bail. Dudley and Hammond were booked for misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia and have been cite released.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to commend the reporting party for being an excellent witness and for doing the right thing by promptly notifying law enforcement. Their awareness and willingness to report suspicious activity played an important role in this investigation.