Santa Barbara The cases against two men connected to a string of Carpinteria burglaries have been continued
Johnathan Gibson, 29, and Joshua Campbell, 19, appeared before Judge Michael Carrozzo in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Monday morning.
Both men were in County Jail custody, dressed in jail jumpsuits and shackles. Mr. Gibson had been released from custody in September, but was sent back to jail for failure to appear for his sentencing hearing in October. He pleaded no contest in July to receiving stolen property and was in court for sentencing.
Mr. Campbell is charged with burglary, two counts of vehicle theft and receiving stolen property among other charges. He also faces an enhancement for a prior vehicle theft conviction. He was in court for a settlement conference and Senior Deputy District Attorney Ben Ladinig said a deal is in the works.
On June 27, deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 2300 block of Whitney Avenue in Summerland.
At around 3 a.m. June 28, a deputy observed a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Lillie Avenue. Mr. Gibson was found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Ryan Smith, 51, was also in the car. He was found with drug paraphernalia.
Deputies determined the vehicle was stolen out of Summerland on June 26 and confirmed it was the vehicle connected to the Whitney Avenue burglary.
At around 9:30 a.m. June 28 deputies located another vehicle, associated with the burglary, in the 4100 block of Via Real in Carpinteria.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop and the suspect, Mr. Campbell, jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. He was caught in a nearby field.
