By F. Scott Faulkner
Santa Barbara, CA — Santa Barbara police arrested a man on the evening of March 10, 2025 in connection with a
robbery at a local downtown Santa Barbara surf shop.
At approximately 5:2 p.m. on March 15th, officers responded to a reported robbery in progress. Responding
Santa Barbara Police Department patrol deputies spotted a suspect fleeing the scene and, after a
brief pursuit, made contact with him along the railroad tracks a few blocks away.
Officers detained the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Michael Anthony Gonzalez of Santa Barbara.
Gonzalez was found in possession of a pocketknife and items stolen from the surf shop.
Investigators determined that Gonzalez had vandalized the store and shoplifted merchandise
before being confronted by retail staff in the parking lot.
According to SBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Bryan Kerr, “When Gonzalez was
confronted by employees outside the store, he brandished a knife before fleeing eastbound along
the railroad tracks.”
Gonzalez was taken into custody and booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of
robbery, vandalism, providing false identification to a police officer. Due to an outstanding
probation-violation warrant, he is being held without bail.
