Larry Casares
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department regularly publicizes its “Tip Line” phone number (805) 683-2724 to provide a line of communication between law enforcement and members of the public who may have information about past or ongoing criminal activity.
The value of providing a guarantee of anonymity to anyone reporting a crime was demonstrated on August 8th when the department’s Special Investigation Bureau and Compliance Response Team received an anonymous email indicating “that two brothers were manufacturing firearms” inside a Santa Maria residence.
Casares Cache
According to SBSD Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover, detectives responded to that report by showing up at the residence in question to conduct “a probation search” as per the terms imposed upon 54-year-old Larry Casares.
While at the home, the cops spotted “firearms they recognized as being illegal under California state law,” which led to a subsequent warrant search of the entire premises and the discovery of an arsenal of 9 rifles, 2 shotguns, and a handgun, along with “high-capacity rifle magazines with ammunition,” none of which Casares was entitled to possess.
Casares, who was home at the time, was taken into custody along with his brother Terry Casares. Both were transported to Santa Barbara County Jail where Larry was booked “for violating the terms of his probation” and being a felon in possession of ammunition. For his part, Terry was charged with unlawful possession of an assault weapon and unlawfully manufacturing a firearm.
Photos: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department
