A Santa Maria man is headed to state prison to serve a 26-year sentence after being convicted of robbery, assault and other serious crimes related to a theft and shooting that occurred on Thanksgiving in 2023, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

Judge Jean Dandona on Thursday sentenced Edgar Bribiescapuga, 32, who was convicted by a jury in Superior Court in Santa Barbara, according to Kevin Weichbrod, supervising deputy district attorney.

Bribiescapuga was convicted on May 27 of robbery, assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm, second-degree commercial burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

The jury also found true special allegations for personally discharging a firearm and use of a firearm.

The incident occurred the morning of Nov. 23, 2023, when Bribiescapuga and his co-defendant, Alejandro Maldonado, were burglarizing a ranch property located off of Cathedral Oaks Road.

The ranch owner, Russell Doty, arrived at the scene to find the two men on his property and attempted to pursue them while contacting law enforcement, Weichbrod said.

“While fleeing the scene with approximately $7,200 in stolen property, Mr. Bribiescapuga fired two shots from an un-serialized .40-caliber firearm at Mr. Doty, who was luckily uninjured,” Weichbrod said.

After a high-speed pursuit by Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies, the vehicle driven by Maldonado crashed on Hollister Avenue, and Bribiescapuga was apprehended a short time later hiding in the bushes.

Two good Samaritans located the firearm lying on a sidewalk near the collision site, Weichbrod said.

Deputies also found methamphetamine on both men and in their vehicle.

Maldonado previously was sentenced to 10 years and eight months prison following his guilty pleas to assault with a deadly weapon, transportation of a controlled substance for sale, commercial burglary, evading law enforcement with reckless disregard, and admitting a special allegation for having suffered a prior strike conviction for residential burglary.