Santa Maria probation check ends with barricaded suspect, arrests
UPDATE
The standoff ended shortly before 5 p.m. Deputies used tear gas to get whoever was in the house to come out. Two people exited the home and were taken into custody by law enforcement.
34-year-old Saam Massoudi of Santa Maria and 36-year-old Callie Jones were taken into custody following a probation check law enforcement was conducting in the area that quickly escalated into a tense situation.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement:
When law enforcement knocked on the front door and identified themselves, they heard several people moving and talking from within the residence. After several announcements demanding entry into the residence, law enforcement forced open the front door.
At that point, two females walked out of the residence and were detained. Additional people were heard inside the residence and further investigation revealed that Massoudi was inside the attic. Knowing Massoudi was wanted for being a felon with a firearm; law enforcement did not enter the residence and continued to yell for the subjects to surrender.
When the subjects refused to surrender, the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) was deployed.
Massoudi was booked into jail for violation of his post-release supervision and resisting and delaying a peace officer. Jones was booked into jail and faces possible charges for resisting and delaying a peace officer and two narcotics-related arrest warrants.
41-year-old Mae Urban, the owner of the residence, was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for resisting and delaying a peace office and harboring a fugitive.
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Liberty Elementary School is on lockdown after a parole sweep escalated in Santa Maria Thursday afternoon.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says multiple law enforcement agencies were working this sweep in the Santa Maria and Orcutt area. At about 12:40 p.m., while doing a probation check in the 1900 block of Estringa Court in the City of Santa Maria, authorities encountered a barricaded suspect.
The suspect had fled inside the home when authorities tried to speak with him, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office says the area is contained and do not believe the public is at risk. However, residents in the immediate area were evacuated as a precautionary measure, while others were told to shelter in place.
Streets in the immediate areas have been closed down.
Nearby schools were also notified of the situation leading to a lockdown at Liberty Elementary School. At 2 p.m., the school lockdown was lifted but school officials were told to use the north side of the school when exiting.
The SWAT team is on scene assisting with this barricaded suspect.
Check back for updated information on this developing story.
