SANTA BARBARA CRIME BLOTTER: Man accused of trying to molest 8-year-old; suspect arrested allegedly with ecstasy at Savoy

Jan. 20, 5:46 a.m.: Police arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly throwing coffee on the woman he was dating.
The couple allegedly got into an argument and the man allegedly threw hot coffee all over the woman. When police arrived, the woman showed them clothes soaked in coffee.
The man admitted to throwing coffee on the woman, but could not offer a “lawful” reason. He was arrested for domestic battery and booked into county jail on $10,000 bail.
Jan. 20, 9:13 p.m.: Officers arrested a 29-year-old man after he allegedly tried to molest an 8-year-old girl.
The girl had been in the bathroom when the man, who lived in the same house, came in and told the girl he, “wanted to kiss her.” He then allegedly grabbed the girl by both arms and began to pull her towards him.
When the girl screamed for her mother, the man allegedly let go and the girl ran out the door.
Police found the man in his room passed out in his room on top of a pile of clothes with vomit on the front of his shirt. He was arrested for annoying a child and booked into county jail on $10,000 bail.
Jan. 21, 12:35 a.m.: Police caught a Seattle man with ecstasy in the Savoy.
While doing a premises check of the nightclub, an officer stopped to watch a group of people sitting in the lounge area. The officer allegedly saw the suspect holding a small bag with a white powdery substance inside it.
When the officer stopped the man, a field test allegedly showed the powder to be ecstasy. The 28-year-old man admitted to buying “party drugs” from a man he didn’t know in the Savoy.
He was arrested for possession and booked into county jail on $10,000 bail.
Jan. 21, 10:22 a.m.: Officers arrested a 49-year-old man after he started swearing at Smart & Final employees.
The man walked into the store and started shouting offensive language. When asked to leave, the man allegedly started swearing and “Flipped off” the manager with both hands.
Employees managed to get the man to the front of the store when police arrived. The man allegedly started running when he saw the officer but got caught in the parking lot.
He was arrested for trespassing and disturbing the peace and booked into county jail on $2,500 bail.
Jan. 21, 5:24 p.m.: A 51-year-old man allegedly started squatting in his friend’s apartment.
The suspect’s friend had been in a coma for over a month at Cottage Hospital. The man’s daughter came in to clean the apartment one day and found the suspect asleep inside. He left after the daughter told him to get out.
She came in another day and allegedly found the man asleep in the apartment again. This time she called police. The man admitted that he knew he didn’t have permission to stay in the apartment.
He was arrested for trespassing and booked into county jail on $2,500 bail.
Jan. 22, 2:30 a.m.: A 25-year-old man allegedly sent another man to the hospital after knocking him out.
The suspect allegedly punched the victim in the face twice on the 400 block of Chapala Street. When a witness tried to intervene, the suspect allegedly turned and punched the witness in the face several times.
He then allegedly turned back to the victim, punching him twice and knocking him unconscious. The victim hit his head on ground, causing a deep cut that needed stitches.
Police arrested the man for the attacks on both the victim and the witness.
Jan. 22, 1:26 p.m.: Police found a 48-year-old man hiding in the desalination plant.
Police set up a perimeter around the East Yanonali Street plant after a surveillance camera allegedly observed two people inside the plant.
During a search of the plant, police found the man lying face down near the west wall. The man allegedly wore a ski mask, gloves, and several sets of wire cutters, a flashlight, and a pillow case.
A background check found the man had been convicted of stealing copper in the past. The desalination plant is a frequent target of thieves looking for copper wire.
The man denied cutting any wires and no property damage had been found. Police arrested him for prowling and possession of burglary tools. They didn’t find anyone else.