4 Officers Injured Arresting Hate Crime Battery Suspect

On January 20, 2022, around 4:50pm, the Santa Barbara Police Combined Communications Center received a report of a battery in progress occurring in the 500 block of Bath Street. Officers arrived on scene and observed the suspect actively battering the 64-year-old male victim.

An SBPD K-9 Officer verbally ordered the suspect to cease the attack. The suspect looked at the Officer and fled northbound running into an apartment complex. The victim informed the K-9 Officer the suspect had potentially robbed him of his cellular phone. Multiple other Officers arrived on scene and established a perimeter around the complex. A Motorcycle Officer was able to locate the suspect on a second story balcony of the apartment complex.

The suspect, later identified as Carlos Undabahena, a 21-year-old Santa Maria resident, failed to obey multiple Officer’s commands to surrender and fled into an apartment that had its front door open. Officers pursued Undabahena into the residence for a moment where he attempted to punch and actively fight multiple Officers. One of the Officers was struck in the face by Undabahena and a foam, non-lethal projectile was deployed striking him in the leg having little effect. The K-9 Officer then deployed his police dog, biting Undabahena. Undabahena was able to break free from the police dog and attempted to flee again. Officers gave chase and after a brief foot pursuit Undabahena was taken into custody.

During the incident, Undabahena managed to injure a total of three Officers and one Sergeant. All the Officers were treated for some form of minor – moderate injuries. One was treated at Cottage Hospital Emergency Room. Undabahena sustained minor injuries and refused all forms of medical treatment. The victim sustained minor injuries and sought his own medical treatment.

Once Undabahena was in custody, Officers learned from the victim that he was making multiple homophobic threats and statements while attacking.

Undabahena was arrested and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail for Violence Against an Officer (felony), Battery Causing Injury to an Officer (felony), Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor), Hate Crime (misdemeanor), and Battery (misdemeanor). Undabahena also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He is being held on $50,000 bail.