UPDATE (9:02 p.m.) — The Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) says Friday's possible burglary involved two male suspects, one of which was armed.
Sergeant Andrew Brice told KSBY that the suspects were reported to have broken through a glass door on the second floor of the apartment.
"The expectation of our officers at that time was [that] we were going to encounter someone armed. So, we really took our time, slowed stuff down, wanted to make sure, first of all, that the public was safe," Brice said. Officials say they called in drones, armored vehicles, and tactical officers to investigate the scene.
While community members were urged to avoid the area, other residents at the apartment complex were told to stay inside their homes while police investigated. "We didn't want to put people out in the open with a potentially armed individual, so we did keep folks back," Brice said. According to SMPD, the suspects were not located and the investigation is still ongoing. Brice encourages witnesses or individuals with more information to contact the police department.
UPDATE (8:10 p.m.) — Police say they gained access into an apartment and no burglary suspect was found and they are now clearing the scene.
ORIGINAL (7:15 p.m.) — Santa Maria police tell KSBY that around 3:45 p.m. on Friday, they received a call about a possible burglary in progress at the Amara Apartments on the 300 block of West Carmen Lane.
As of 7 p.m. Friday night, police are still on scene looking into the report. Police advise people to avoid the area if possible as they conduct their investigation.
