SANTA MARIA, CA — Santa Maria police have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with a Friday night shooting and robbery, while detectives continue to search for a second suspect. Investigators said the victim was approached by two Hispanic men in an alley in the 300 block of North Oakley Street around 9:33 p.m.
One of the suspects was armed with an AR-15-style rifle, according to police. During the attempted robbery, the victim was shot in the leg and later taken to a local hospital. Police said the victim is expected to survive.
Police use license plate readers to track down a vehicle tied to the shooting
After the shooting, the suspects fled in a vehicle. Santa Maria police said officers used license plate reader technology to identify and locate that vehicle, which became a key part of the response.
According to police, officers then traced the car to a residence where one suspect, identified as Irwin Lara, was found. Lara is a Santa Maria resident. Officers established a perimeter around the home before taking him into custody.
The arrest came after what police described as a rapid effort to connect the vehicle to the suspects and then to a specific address. The second suspect has not been found.
Irwin Lara booked into county jail on robbery and weapon-related charges
Police said Lara was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of accessory, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities have not released further details about his alleged role beyond those charges.
The case remains active, and detectives are still trying to identify and locate the outstanding suspect. Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting or the second suspect to contact the Santa Maria Police Detective Bureau.
Investigators have not said whether they believe the suspects and victim knew each other before the attempted robbery.
Friday night violence left one victim hospitalized after a leg wound
The victim was treated at a local hospital after being shot in the leg. Police said the injury is serious but not believed to be life-threatening, and the man is expected to survive.
The arrest and continued search for the second suspect suggest detectives are still working through how the confrontation developed in the alley. The location, time and weapon description all point to a fast-moving encounter that ended with the suspects fleeing the area.
Police have not said what led the two suspects to approach the victim or whether anything was taken during the robbery attempt.
Separate Saturday night gunfire report sends another man to Marian Regional Medical Center
Santa Maria police also responded Saturday at 8:02 p.m. to the 700 block of South Western Avenue after reports of gunshots. Officers found a 40-year-old man with a gunshot wound that appeared to be non-life-threatening.
Santa Maria Fire and AMR personnel responded to provide medical aid at the scene. The victim was later transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Police said that investigation is also active, and they are asking anyone with information to call the SMPD Communications Center at 805-928-3781 ext. 2277 or the anonymous tip line at 805-928-3781 ext. 2677.
Detectives ask for tips as both shootings remain under investigation
Between the Friday robbery case and the separate Saturday shooting report, Santa Maria police are now working two active gunfire investigations from back-to-back nights. In both cases, officers have identified victims and provided hospital updates, but key questions remain unanswered.
For the Friday night case, detectives are still looking for the second suspect. For the Saturday case, police have not said who fired the shots or what prompted the shooting.
Anyone with information about either incident is urged to contact investigators through the police department’s detective bureau or tip lines.
