Officers Interrupt Wallet Thief at 5-Points Shopping Center

On January 27, 2022, around 2:00pm, two Santa Barbara Police Officers were working a special detail designed to address ongoing issues with thefts, drugs, and alcohol-related crimes in the north portion of the city.

As the Officers were patrolling the parking lot of 5-Points Shopping Center (3900 block of State Street), they heard a woman screaming loudly for help. Officers observed a male witness chasing another male, later identified as Dale Dion Quinn, a 53-year-old transient, through the parking lot of the shopping center. Officers detained both subjects and learned Quinn had just stolen a wallet from the victim who was screaming for help. The male witness observed the theft and was attempting to stop Quinn from fleeing. 

Based on the victim and witness statements, Quinn was placed under arrest and a search of Quinn revealed he was in possession of the victim’s wallet.   

The wallet was returned to the victim and Quinn was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail. He was booked on Grand Theft from a Person (felony), and Elder Abuse (felony). His bail is set at $50,000.