Suspected Gang Member Walks Into Police Station with Concealed Knives

The 19-year-old man also is accused of possessing an iPod stolen from a Summerland business

Santa Barbara police say Oscar Bello Torres, 19, was carrying these four knives and sheath when he walked into the department on Thursday
Santa Barbara police say Oscar Bello Torres, 19, was carrying these four knives and sheath when he walked into the department on Thursday. (Santa Barbara Police Department photo)

By Lt. Paul McCaffrey | Published on 10.23.2009

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Santa Barbara detectives arrested a man Thursday after he walked into the police department carrying four concealed knives.

Oscar Bello Torres
Oscar Bello Torres

On Oct. 8, two detectives contacted several gang members and/or associates at Eastside Neighborhood Park, 1200 E. Yanonali St.

Oscar Bello Torres, 19, was cited for possession of an opened beer. He had an iPod in his possession, but was vague about how he got it.

Torres consented to the detectives taking temporary custody of the iPod to determine whether it was stolen. After Torres walked away, the detectives found a 12-inch knife partially underneath a vehicle, where Torres had been standing. The detectives seized the knife.

At the police department, the iPod was traced as stolen on Sept. 20 from a business in Summerland. The knife was examined by forensic technician Mike Ullemeyer. He recovered a fingerprint that matched Torres’ left hand.

At 3:40 p.m. Thursday, Torres went into the police department to claim the iPod. A detective discovered Torres carrying four more knives hidden under his shirt, all of which were double-edged and designed for throwing or stabbing. Torres had modified a leather sheath to carry the weapons in his front waistband.

Under questioning, Torres admitted ownership of the original knife and to believing that the iPod was stolen when he possessed it.

Torres was arrested and faces two counts of possession of an illegal knife, possession of stolen property and committing the crimes in furtherance of a known street gang.

— Santa Barbara policeLt. Paul McCaffrey is a department spokesman.

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» CommonSense on 10.23.09 @ 02:28 PM

Can we say “DUMB” criminal…..

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» What? on 10.23.09 @ 02:35 PM

The morons have to walk into the Police Department before they will get arrested? Why didn’t they haul him in the first time? Rules of engagement? Fear of racial profiling?

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» Selective Breeding on 10.23.09 @ 03:06 PM

The children are our future.

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» Don McDermott on 10.23.09 @ 03:17 PM

Why did Torres “walk(ed) into the police department(?) Please get back to us on that.

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» b_reynaldo on 10.23.09 @ 03:32 PM

Any word on his immigration status?  If illegal, reporting to ICE seems to be a good way to get rid of a gang member. I don’t understand how Santa Barbara benefits from people like this or why they get such sympathy from some members of the city council.

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» elizabeth on 10.24.09 @ 05:57 AM

Clearly an act of arrogance. Every picture tells a story. Without his knives this thug will be an empty vessel.  Good luck with the re - hab work.

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» Jill on 10.24.09 @ 10:07 AM

Noozhawk, good article, but I question the picture of the knives. My first thought when I saw them was that it would provoke interest if some other kid were to see them. Not sure if it is true, but that was my first thought…

Continue to pray for our law enforcement, who obviously risk their lives every time they interact with these criminals.

Sad that this is such a problem in our community. How can we all take part in making a change? It seems some want it to only be the role of law enforcement, which I agree, they play a big part, but I think there may be more the community can do as well?

Very encouraged by some of the work being done on the westside to love and care for kids who could end up like this due to life circumstances. Check out Uffizi Mission Project online, specifically, the Westside Movement.

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» Boycott Boy on 10.24.09 @ 11:20 AM

If criminals are going to turn themselves in…we need a police station on every corner! What was this guy thinking?  Was he late for a job interview at COBRA HQ.

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» Gang-e-hawk on 10.25.09 @ 01:22 PM

This sets a great example to all the gangs in Santa Barbara. Simply turn yourself in by carrying all of your weapons in a police station. Its sooo easy!
Honestly, I did not want to see a picture of the knives.
Also, I do not feel bad for the gang member trying to get the iPod back. He has had it since Sept 20th, so probably he’s been lured by the Hannah Montana and Britney Spears. For being in a gang, it seems like he is dependent on others and hence cannot afford an iPod, computer, or Hannah Montana music. But for this crime of going above and beyond the urge of listening to Hannah Montana by stealing an iPod, I would say that the punishment fits the crime.

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