Fight in Carpinteria leads to robbery arrests

A 911 call to report a fight in Carpinteria led sheriff’s deputies to two robbery suspects.

It happened around 10:30 Monday night. Several people called the police to report a fight on Elm Avenue and 5th St.

When deputies arrived they found 25-year-old Jose Romero being held down by a group of people who claimed he was armed and had just robbed a liquor store. Deputies said a search of the area turned up an air-powered pellet gun nearby.

They also learned there may be a second suspect still in the area. Deputies and a K-9 unit eventually found 25-year-old Denis Gutierrez hiding in a nearby vehicle.

Both Romero and Gutierrez were booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail.

They face charges for robbery, criminal conspiracy, and outstanding arrest warrants.