Baseball Bat Wielding Businessman Busted
Santa Barbara – Three years ago the wife of Michael Stinchfield, 55, passed away and his life apparently began to go sideways. Until recently, Stinchfield had been a successful local area landlord, businessman, husband, and father of two. In recent months, however, Stinchfield has had multiple contacts with law enforcement, and, according to Santa Barbara Police Department spokesman Detective Michael Claytor, was reported by neighbors to have been “acting erratically.”
Michael Stinchfield
It was on September 28, 2012 that Stinchfield was the subject of a protracted high-speed CHP pursuit that began in Ventura County and ended 60 miles south in Los Angeles. That incident was reported at the time as involving a homeless woman whom Stinchfield had picked up in his Mercedes, after which he refused her demands to let her out. After traveling on the southbound US 101 at speeds in excess of 100 mph, Stinchfield was apprehended and charged with felony evasion and false imprisonment.
Just five weeks later, in the early morning hours of November 2nd, SBPD patrol officers responded to a 911 Emergency call of a domestic disturbance in an upscale downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood and observed two women fleeing from Stinchfield’s residence. According to Claytor, the officers noted “multiple visible injuries” on the women. Immediately thereafter, contact was made with Stinchfield who “was in possession of a full-sized baseball bat.” A brief investigation ensued, pursuant to which Stinchfield was taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
Both female victims were treated at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where investigation continued throughout the day. Stinchfield was later booked into Santa Barbara County Jail and charged with attempted rape, sexual battery, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, and dissuading a victim from calling police, which is a hate crime.
He is currently held without bail.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read more:
Santa Barbara Independent: Businessman Arrested on Assault, Attempted Rape, Hate Charges
KeyT: Stinchfield Charges Still Under Review
KeyT: Hour Long Pursuit Started in Ventura
