Santa Maria police are busy investigating three serious crimes: a shooting, two armed robberies and a stabbing that all happened within a 24-hour period.
The two armed robberies are connected and gang-related, but police haven’t identified any suspects in the shooting or the stabbing.
The crime spree started around 10:45 Tuesday morning with a shooting near Battles Road and Western Avenue. Police found a man who had been shot multiple times. They believe it is gang-related.
Around 5 p.m., police responded to an attempted robbery near Dena Way and Leslie Court. Witnesses saw two men hold someone at gunpoint and then drive off in a dark-colored car.
A similar call came in about 20 minutes later near Oakley Park. "There was a brief vehicle pursuit, then the suspects all fled on foot. Ultimately four people arrested, several guns were located, ammunition were located," said Lieutenant Paul Van Meel of the Santa Maria Police Department. Christian Ambriz, Luis Ruben and two minors were arrested for the armed robberies.
As police responded to that scene, a stabbing was reported around 7 p.m. on North Palisades Drive. Police aren’t linking the stabbing to the other crimes right now. "Obviously we put a suspect vehicle description, it’s similar, we are going to have to see if there is evidence linking the two together. And if we are able to establish that then of course we are going to charge it," added Lieutenant Van Meel.
Both the stabbing and shooting victims were hospitalized, and police say they are in stable condition.
The four people arrested in connection to the armed robberies face charges of robbery and gang enhancement.
Posted
Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
