Photo: Alberto Morelos Pablo
Santa Barbara County – The New Year got off to a blood start in the City of Santa Maria. It was just after midnight, January 1st when, according to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Andy Magallon, Santa Maria Police Department patrol officers “responded to a report of several people fighting” in a residential neighborhood.
Arriving officers encountered a pair of stabbing victims. One was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and the second victim was taken to Santa Maria’s Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment of serious head injuries.
The ensuing investigation lead to the January 2nd arrest of 18-year-old Santa Maria resident Eduardo Garcia Barrueta, “who was booked on suspicion of attempted murder with a criminal street gang enhancement.” He was subsequently released after posting a bond on an $80,000 bail.
It wasn’t until the following day, January 3rd, that detectives identified 18-year-old Santa Maria resident Alberto Morelos Pablo as the second assailant in the violent altercation. Detectives made contact with Pablo at his residence and took him into custody without further incident.
He was then transported to Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, auto theft, and participation in a criminal street gang. He remains in custody with his bail set at $100,000.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
