The San Luis Obispo Police have a man in custody who is allegedly responsible for a residential burglary committed last month.
According to SLOPD, the suspect, Derek Roden, 29 of Santa Maria, allegedly broke into a home in the 900 block of Peach Street, then a home on the 100 block of Verde Drive on Saturday, April 18 between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30 a.m.
Police say a taxi driver who had just dropped off an intoxicated female at the Peach Street residence saw a male subject follow her inside her home.
The driver told police that after the door closed behind them, he heard the female begin screaming. The taxi driver told police he ran to the door and began pounding on it until the door opened. The driver said he was face-to-face with Roden, who got away before officers arrived.
According to SLOPD, a resident on the 100 block of Verde found a man matching Roden’s description inside his residence. The suspect ran out of that home and drove away in a light-colored sedan. In both cases, the subject had similar clothing and physical descriptions.
The suspect was described as a white male wearing a baseball-style hat with CHP logo. The suspect was also described by one witness as possibly being mute.
Based on the suspect’s physical description, clothing, behavior, characteristics and prior police contacts, an alert SLOPD officer recognized the suspect to be Roden. He was later positively identified by one of the victims. An arrest warrant was issued for the burglaries.
Roden was arrested on Wednesday, May 13 by a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy at 175 Broadway in Orcutt, a town just south of Santa Maria. San Luis Obispo Police detectives drove to Orcutt and took custody of Roden. Detectives described Roden as uncooperative and appearing to be unable or unwilling to speak or communicate with them in any manner.
After claiming a medical issue, Roden was transported to a local hospital where he received medical treatment before being cleared for booking. Roden was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail for the warrant, with bail set at $200,000.
