Police Make Arrest in Santa Maria Gas Station Shooting
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Santa Maria Police arrested the suspect in last week’s Conserv Fuel gas station shooting. He’s been identified as 41-year-old Nipomo resident Pedro Santiago.
“Investigators had identified who they believed was the shooter in the incident two nights prior,” says Lt. Marc Schneider.
Police arrested Santiago on Friday night after conducting a “high-risk traffic stop” in the 900 block of North Broadway.
Authorities said they also found several weapons in Santiago’s car when they made the arrest. He was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on attempted murder charges.
Police say they’re not looking for additional suspects related to the shooting at this time.
SEARCH OF SANTIAGO’S HOME RESULTS IN TWO ADDITIONAL ARRESTS
At about 11 p.m. the same day, SMPD investigators served a related search warrant at a residence on Orchard Road in Nipomo. Authorities found over a dozen firearms consisting of handguns and rifles, including two assault type rifles, and a large quantity of ammunition.
Police arrested two men at the residence on weapons related charge. They are not suspected in the shooting at the Conserve Fuel gas station.
Both Nipomo men, 25-year-old Franklin Edgar Lopez and 21-year-old Rafael Lopez, were booked at Santa Barbara County Jail. Edgar-Lopez is facing felon in possession of firearm charges. Rafael Lopez is facing possession of assault rifle charges.
Jon Miller has lived with his family in Nipomo for many years, about four generations.
“It’s quiet, safe, feel great about the kids being out here playing,” he says.
He says the arrests happening in his neighborhood are a cause for concern.
“It’s more than just concerning, it can happen in anyone’s backyard but you never think its going to happen in your own,” says Miller.
