Photo: Omar Marquez
Santa Barbara – Fleeing gang-bangers learned that they were no match for a K9 cop.
It began when SBPD cops on routine patrol received a call for service at 9:00 pm July 2. The report announced a brawl at a downtown intersection.
Sgt. Riley Harwood said the caller described multiple subjects getting out of a car “with multiple broken windows.” These subjects then attacked several juveniles on the sidewalk.
This was apparently no mere fistfight. The witness report indicated a battle involving weapons such as “sticks, pipes, bottles, and a bench.”
In addition, the suspects shouted “gang-related statements” throughout the melée. The witness described those “statements” as “associated with a known local criminal street gang.”
A K9 team rolled up to the scene. They spotted a silver VW Jetta with three occupants roaring away from the area at speeds in excess of posted limits. Consequently, the chase was on.
The pursuing SBPD patrol unit, with red lights and blaring siren, eventually conducted a high-risk traffic stop. Other black-and-whites immediately appeared to support the effort.
The suspect vehicle contained two juveniles and 18-year-old Santa Barbara resident Omar Marquez. All three were “uncooperative” with the uniformed cops, refusing to obey legal verbal commands.
Finally, with the assistance of the K9 unit, cops quickly subdued and took the trio into custody.
Cops took the juveniles to Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall, where they were booked on multiple charges. These charges concerned their participation in a local criminal street gang and probation violations.
Marquez has charges of assault and battery, child endangerment, brandishing a weapon, and participation in a criminal street gang.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
