Deputies Arrest Two Santa Maria Men in String of Auto Burglaries Case

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men believed to be responsible for a string of car burglaries throughout Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valley.

32-year-old Roland Bautista and 40-year-old Jacob Rodriguez were arrested on July 23 following a traffic stop in the 4400 block of Kenai Court in Orcutt. Deputies found stolen property, methamphetamine and meth paraphernalia inside Bautista’s car, and a syringe loaded with heroin in Rodriguez’s backpack, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“During the investigation, Sheriff’s deputies recognized Bautista and Rodriguez and the vehicle they were driving in from a May 28th automobile burglary that was captured on a homeowner’s surveillance camera in the Foxenwood area,” said Kelly Hoover with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

“As a result of the evidence recovered, it was discovered that the two suspects had been working together to burglarize automobiles. Follow up probation searches were conducted on both men’s residences with additional property being recovered.,” Hoover added.

Both, Bautista and Rodriguez, were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for burglary, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit burglary and various drug related charges.

“The surveillance video capture of the suspects and their associated vehicle played a key role in the identification of the suspects. The Sheriff’s Office encourages homeowners to utilize theft deterrent devices,” said Hoover.