Goleta, Ca. – On the morning of April 14, 2020, Sheriff’s detectives serve a second round of search warrants stemming from incidents that occurred in March, resulting in the arrest of five juveniles. On Friday, March 6, 2020 at 7:46p.m., deputies responded to the 5700-block of Hollister Avenue in Goleta for a report of a violent assault. Deputies located a 14-year-old victim who had severe injuries, including multiple lacerations to his head. The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency care. A second victim was also attacked less severely. The suspects fled the area prior to the arrival of responding deputies. Deputies later learned that several suspects had attacked the victims with weapons including hammers, bats, pipes and a machete.

Later that same evening, at 9:42 p.m., deputies responded to the 4500-block of Carpinteria Avenue in Carpinteria to investigate another reported fight. Deputies learned that several male suspects, armed with the same variety of weapons, had attempted to assault another group of males. No victims were injured during this assault, and the suspects fled the area before deputies arrived.

Sheriff’s detectives launched an investigation and determined that the crimes in Goleta and Carpinteria were committed by the same suspects using the same weapons. On March 31, 2020 detectives served two search warrants in the City of Santa Barbara and arrested three juvenile suspects. Today, detectives served two additional search warrants in the City of Santa Barbara and arrested two additional juvenile suspects. All five suspects were booked at the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for attempted murder, attempted murder in association with a criminal street gang, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and personal infliction of great bodily injury.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public we serve that during this challenging time, we remain steadfast and diligent in seeking out and bringing to justice criminal offenders.