Suspect arrested for homeless encampment stabbing in Goleta
UPDATE:
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect wanted for the June 29 stabbing at a homeless encampment near Patterson Ave and Highway 101.
Sheriff’s detectives located 57-year old Donald Lowe from Lompoc in the area of Cabrillo Blvd. and Ninos Dr in Santa Barbara on July 3.
The Sheriff’s Office says the suspect and the 29-year old victim were acquaintances living at the homeless encampment before a dispute over property ended in a stabbing.
Lowe was found in possession of about 23 grams of meth, about one gram of black tar heroin, and less than one gram of brown heroin. Three individuals with Lowe were also arrested.
Andrea Mertynuik, 30, from Ventura was booked for violating her probation and for outstanding warrants. She is being held on $5,000 bail.
Lindsay Lilburn, 35, from Carpinteria was arrested for violating her probation and is being held without bail.
Sean Lynn, 41, from Santa Barbara was arrested for violating the terms of his post-community supervision and is being held without bail.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for a suspect who stabbed a man at a homeless encampment in Goleta Friday.
Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a stabbing near the railroad tracks near Patterson Avenue and Highway 101 around 10:22 p.m.
When Deputies arrived, they were escorted to the injured man who was still at the camp adjacent to the railroad tracks. The injured 29-year old man had severe lacerations to his abdomen. Deputies rendered aid and then a medical crew transported him to an area hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
The victim told deputies that he had been sleeping when an unknown person attacked him. Other people in the encampment also provided statements to this incident.
The Sheriff’s Office says they are actively investigating this crime and are searching for a suspect.
If you have any information regarding this crime, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 805-681-4100 or to leave an anonymous tip call 805-681-4171. You can also leave an anonymous tip on the Sheriff’s website.
