CARPINTERIA — Any dog thinking about enlisting for law enforcement duties with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department had apparently better be ready for action… and plenty of it.
In one of many episodes involving criminals reluctant to submit to contact with cops in recent weeks, the February 28th apprehension of 41-year-old Carpinteria resident Lionel Torres once again brought the SBSD K-9 unit into service in the interests of both public safety and the safety of arresting deputies.
It all began mid-day on the 28th when a 911 Emergency call was made reporting a suspected violent domestic dispute taking place in a residence unit of the Franciscan Court Condominium Complex.
According to SBSD Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover, upon arrival at the scene, deputies promptly “contacted Torres, who was described as compliant.” Deputies then advised Torres to depart the premises and to make no plans to return.
Just hours later, however, another 911 call indicating that Torres had forced his way back into the same residence brought deputies back to the scene with all due alacrity.
At that point, deputies were led to believe that Torres had “battered an elderly resident” and that he was now barricaded inside the residential unit’s detached garage.
According to Hoover, Torres “refused to cooperate or communicate with Sheriff’s deputies,” whereupon a secure perimeter was established and neighbors were evacuated for their own safety.
Although Torres had locked the garage door from inside, deputies soon entered by means of force and discovered him to be combative, requiring deployment of the K-9, who “apprehended Torres, leaving minor injuries.”
Torres was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for medical treatment and was subsequently welcomed at Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on charges of battery, elder abuse, false imprisonment, resisting arrest with injury, trespassing, and battery on a police officer, with his bail set at $50,000.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Sheriff K-9 Unit
