18-year-old Learns Life Isn’t a Cop Show
Brandon Robert Morrison, 18
Santa Barbara- In spite of the fact that it’s the home of a Federal minimum security penal facility, the community of Lompoc, situated between the much larger cities of Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, is a fairly tranquil place…that is until something happens.
On February 10th, 2013, the Ocean Avenue Circle K Store was the scene of a classic armed robbery when, just before midnight, according to the report issued by the Lompoc Police Department media alert, “a single armed suspect entered through the front door…and pointed a handgun at the clerk.” With pictures speaking 1,000 words, Lompoc Police Department Sgt. Chuck Strange released the store’s surveillance video taken of the incident which clearly shows a scene that could have been shot for any popular TV cop show.
With that video in hand, the Investigations Section of the Lompoc Police Department conducted an intensive study of the images they had and a month later identified the suspect as Brandon Robert Morrison, 18.
Morrison during Robbery
When local police officers observed Morrison walking in the downtown Lompoc area on March 6th, they attempted to make contact, to which Morrison “immediately took off.” Perhaps still under the impression that he was a character in a bad TV cop show, Morrison attempted to flee on foot. Failing to realize that this was in fact reality, not a TV show, his attempt was short lived, seeing that officers pursued and dogged their man down and took him into custody at the scene.
Morrison was arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of armed robbery, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. He remains in custody with bail set at $102,500.
Photos: Courtesy Lompoc Police Department, Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read More:
1) Lompoc Record- Police Arrest Robbery Suspect
2) Santa Maria Times- Lompoc Robbery Suspect Arrested
