Break-in at historic Casa Dolores House

A man was arrested after breaking into the historic Casa Dolores building.

Police went to the house in the 1000 block of Bath Street in Santa Barbara just before 3 a.m. Friday after the alarm system went off. When they arrived, they noticed that a light was on, a window was broken, and the suspect was still inside.

Authorities confronted the man at the front door of the house. He was arrested without incident.

Investigators say they smelled a strong odor of gas. When they went inside, they heard a hissing sound. They discovered the man had turned on a stove, which caused the gas smell.

Santa Barbara City Fire was called to turn off the gas. Neighbors were temporarily evacuated, but allowed back into their homes after the gas was turned off.

Investigators also said the man had placed chairs at the windows and doors in an attempt to barricade himself inside. Nothing was stolen, but many items in the house were damaged.

The unidentified suspect was booked on two felony counts.