Santa Barbara Police disarm man with 12-inch knife

A suspect police said was not cooperating and out of control, was subdued after a 12-inch knife fell out of his jacket sleeve. Officers said the man, who has not been named, was trying to get to the knife when they moved in.

Had the knife been picked up, the situation could have escalated into a larger amount of force including the possible use of a police firearm.

Two officers realized the suspect was going for the knife on the ground and quickly knocked the man down. They put handcuffs and a “hobble” device on him as part of an increased restraint.

Officers believe the suspect was under the influence of drugs, due to his combative nature and the discovery of a drug pipe often used for Methamphetamine.

The suspect was contacted in a storage yard at 100 Garden Street about 11 a.m. Those who are approved to be there said the man was trespassing. Moments later in a conversation with police, the knife was revealed from up the suspects sleeve then it slipped to the ground. As the suspect moved towards it, that’s when the officers swarmed him and made the arrest.

No further details were immediately known. The investigation is ongoing.