SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - It's jail for known gang member 24-year-old Roberto Arebalo Amadro, Jr. of Santa Barbara after stealing a beer.
Here's what the Santa Barbara Police Department says:
Roberto Arebalo Amador Jr., age 24, of Santa Barbara, was arrested for robbery and participation in a criminal street gang after stealing beer from a local convenience store. Amador is a Santa Barbara area gang member that is currently on federal probation for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act conspiracy and Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) charges stemming from the Santa Barbara Police Department's Operation Gator Roll in October 2008.
On January 29, 2013 at 8:15 p.m., SBPD officers responded to a convenience store in the City of Santa Barbara regarding the theft of beer. While responding the officers located the suspect, Amador, as he was leaving the area on foot. He was subsequently arrested.
Investigation indicates the following. At the time of the incident Amador entered the convenience store, took an eighteen-pack of beer valued at $21.48 and walked out, defying demands by the store clerk and two companions to put it down. The three men followed Amador outside and when they tried to stop him Amador fought with them to retain control of the beer and to escape. The victims were able to wrest the stolen beer from Amador, who then walked away. Shortly thereafter he was contacted by responding officers.
Amador has large tattoos on the top and sides of his head that prominently denote his gang affiliation, tattoos that were covered at the time he was contacted by police. Investigation further indicates that Amador displayed these tattoos during the commission of the crime in a likely effort to intimidate the victims and to promote his gang.
When questioned about the incident following his arrest Amador initially denied having any part in the crime. However, when confronted with the fact that he was seen on video inside of the convenience store Amador replied, "A criminal is gonna lie."
Amador was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for robbery and participation in a criminal street gang, both felonies, with a bail amount of $150,000.00.
