Golden State Today

Santa Barbara, Calif. – Authorities are investigating a burglary in which a suspect stole a firearm, leading to a request for local residents to remain indoors. On the evening of March 6, 2025, sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 1300-block of Barger Canyon following reports of an ongoing burglary.

Upon arrival, deputies surrounded the property and discovered that the suspect had taken a rifle from the victim's home and was last seen in a cabin on the premises. To ensure public safety, law enforcement asked nearby residents to shelter in place while they searched for the individual.

The search effort included additional personnel from the Santa Barbara Police Department and California Highway Patrol, as well as support from Santa Barbara County Air Support. Despite conducting an extensive ground and aerial search of the area, authorities later determined that the suspect had already fled when they initiated their search. After about ninety minutes, officials lifted the shelter-in-place order.

The investigation is still active, and anyone with information regarding the suspect is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at 805-681-4100. The Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude for "the patience and cooperation of residents who stayed indoors during the search for the armed suspect."