Two suspects arrested for Isla Vista robbery

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Two people were arrested in 2021 for the robbery of an Isla Vista home, and one has since been sentenced to prison while another has been exonerated.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Heyaw Meteke of Isla Vista was arrested for robbery and false imprisonment. Meteke later pleaded guilty to robbery and, in April 2022, was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Another Isla Vista resident was initially arrested on suspicion of being an accessory but was later exonerated of all charges.

Deputies said the arrests followed a search warrant served in the 6700 block of Del Playa Drive in connection with the robbery, which took place on the 6500 block of Sabado Tarde Road.

The robbery was reported around 10:20 a.m. when two victims said they were robbed at gunpoint inside their residence by three suspects. One victim sustained minor injuries but did not require immediate medical attention.

Investigators said the suspects stole two laptops, a cell phone, a wallet, and an unknown amount of marijuana.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that one individual originally named in connection with this case was exonerated. Their name has been removed because the story predates the station’s current editorial guidelines on when to publish the names of suspects prior to charges being filed.