Santa Barbara police make arrest linked to deadly weekend stabbing

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara police have arrested a man linked to a fatal stabbing.

Juan Carlos Mendez, 24, was arrested without incident Wednesday night. Police say he will face murder charges for the death of William Pule-Valle. Pule-Valle was found unconscious with stab wounds in the 1000 block of Olive Street on Saturday. He later died at the hospital.

Mendez and Pule-Valle are known gang members, according to Santa Barbara Police.

After Mendez was arrested Wednesday night, the SBPD SWAT team and other specialty units including police dogs served search warrants at addresses where Mendez was known to hang out.

Mendez is being held in the Santa Barbara County Jail without bail.