SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Two people who were arrested in connection with an assault in downtown Santa Barbara in late February were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of the murder of a Santa Cruz County resident, authorities said.
On March 31, deputies responded to a report of an unconscious woman, later identified as 55-year-old Kimberly Smith, at a residence. Ms. Smith was deceased when deputies arrived. Detectives identified Caitlin Crenshaw and Cody Huynh, both 23-year-old transients, who were believed to be directly involved in the homicide, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our Detectives located Huynh in San Bernardino County where he was in jail for unrelated charges. Crenshaw was also located in San Bernardino County in the victim’s car. She was taken into custody without incident. The motive is believed to be robbery,” authorities said.
Both suspects were booked in Santa Cruz County on murder and robbery charges. They are being held on no bail.
On Feb. 26, Santa Barbara police arrested Mr. Huynh and Ms. Crenshaw in connection with an assault involving an elderly couple in the 700 block of State Street. The incident included a 13-year-old boy’s grandfather who got into a verbal altercation with a third party when Ms. Crenshaw assaulted the grandfather. Ms. Crenshaw was also accused of assaulting the boy’s grandmother.
Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of assault, battery and elder abuse. They were booked into jail Feb. 26 and released Feb. 27, according to authorities.
