Goleta Man Arrested For Attempted Murder

Goleta resident Maurice Joyles, 40, was arrested Thursday around noon on attempted murder, robbery, and elder abuse charges.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies found Joyles at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez. That’s where deputies arrested Joyles and took him to jail.

Earlier on Thursday, an 80-year-old man and his adult niece came into the Sheriff’s headquarters to report the attack.

The man said Joyles entered his home on North Fairview Avenue on New Year’s Eve around 7 p.m. and physically assaulted him. Joyles also tried to place a plastic bag over the 80-year-old’s head.

The man sustained minor injuries during the fight. Joyles removed $500 from the man’s wallet and fled.

Joyles was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail and is held on one million dollars bail.

Investigators have not released a motive for the alleged attack nor any further details pertaining to the investigation.