Suspect in Lompoc Barkin Park murder arrested, charged with homicide

— UPDATE–

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office is charging 30-year-old Kenneth Robbie Whalen with murder in the death of Theo Bennett in Lompoc on April 3, 2018.

The murder charge includes a special allegation that states Whalen used a knife in the murder.

Whalen appeared in court on Wednesday but his arraignment was continued to May 31, 2018.

Click here to view the complaint.

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Lompoc police have arrested a suspect in the stabbing murder of 33-year-old Theopheus Lee Bennett on April 3, 2018.

Police say 30-year-old Kenneth Robbie Whalen stabbed Bennett multiple times near Barkin Park located at 300 W Barton Avenue.

Despite life-saving efforts, Bennett died from his injuries.

Whalen was booked into jail on murder charges and his bail was set at $1,000,000 million dollars.

Lompoc police say investigators conducted a search of a location Whalen was seen leaving in the 1600 block of West Cherry Avenue but did not comment further on any evidence that may have been found at that location.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to call Detective Lamar with the Lompoc Police Department at 805-875-8124.