Jorge Luis Jijon-Lagara arrested for attempted murder and stalking

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Jorge Luis Jijon-Lagara connected to an attempted murder and stalking investigation.

SBCSO deputies followed a 911 call to the 1100 block of Via Regina on March 25 and found an adult male victim who had been stabbed multiple times after Jijon-Lagara fled.

First responders immediately helped the stabbing victim until medical personnel took him to the hospital for serious injuries, according to the SBCSO.

SBCSO deputies then identified Jijon-Lagara from Goleta and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding neighborhoods on March 25 but could not find him.

Investigators determined that Jijon-Lagara stalked his ex-girlfriend who was in a relationship with the person he later stabbed, according to the SBCSO.

Detectives served both a search and an arrest warrant at the 200-block of Hillview Road in Goleta.

There, they took Jijon-Lagara into custody without incident and booked him into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail on felony charges, including attempted murder and stalking.

Jijon-Lagara is being held without bail and the stabbing victim is expected to recover, according to the SBCSO.