Man Sought By Police in Ocean off Santa Barbara’s East Beach

Emergency crews responded Tuesday morning for a report of a man refusing to get out of the ocean off Santa Barbara’s East Beach, according to the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

He was taken into police custody just before noon, according to emergency radio traffic.

Battalion Chief Jon Turner said crews were initially dispatched for a “subject that was trying to evade police” and was “refusing to comply with officer orders.”

He said the man was in a concrete groin that extends roughly 50 feet into the ocean.

Three fire engines, a ladder truck, a battalion chief and search and rescue swimmers were initially called to the shoreline at around 7:41 a.m.

Harbor Patrol was also on scene.

Crews were stationed on East Beach, roughly near the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and South Calle Cesar Chavez.

“We have rescue swimmers standing by in case they’re needed for the subject or PD,” Turner said.

A Noozhawk reporter on scene watched Search and Rescue crews and police attempt to get the man out of the groin using buoys at around 8:40 a.m., but he did not come out.

The man was reportedly holding onto a bolt inside the structure, per emergency radio traffic.

The Santa Barbara Police Department had no information immediately available for release.

It was not immediately known why the man was sought by police.

Additional information was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back with Noozhawk for updates.