Santa Barbara Apartment Burglar Ryder Jay Gage Arrested After 14 Break-Ins

A 19-year-old Santa Barbara man was arrested on 11 September after police linked him to 14 apartment burglaries and two vehicle thefts on Cliff Drive.

Santa Barbara man arrested over spree of apartment burglaries and vehicle thefts

Independent.com reports that officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department responded to an apartment complex near Cliff Drive and Loma Alta Drive at around 3:00 a.m. on 9 September 2026, following a report of a suspicious person tampering with vehicles.

When officers arrived and tried to detain the individual, he fled. An extensive search did not locate him.

Further investigation revealed that approximately 14 unlocked apartments had been burglarised and two vehicles stolen. Officers recovered both stolen vehicles and multiple items of stolen property in the surrounding area. Several victims came forward to identify their belongings and provide statements.

Detectives subsequently identified 19-year-old Ryder Jay Gage, a Santa Barbara resident, as the suspect. A judge approved an arrest warrant in his name.

On 11 September 2026, at around 5:00 p.m., officers responding to an unrelated call on the 100 W. block of Carrillo Street spotted Gage walking on the pavement ahead of them. He was taken into custody without incident.

Gage was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on charges of multiple burglaries, vehicle thefts, vandalism, and grand theft. He is currently held on a no-bail status.

The Santa Barbara Police Department has asked anyone with additional information not yet reported to contact Detective S. Amezquita at 805-897-2414 or [email protected].

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)