Santa Maria Man Arrested in Stabbing Incident

SANTA MARIA – Police have arrested a 19-year-old man for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred last week at Gateway Liquor.

Joseph Garcia

Joseph Anthony Garcia of Santa Maria was taken into custody around 8 p.m. Sunday, July 7, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder for the July 3 stabbing of an unidentified 19 year old.

Investigators believe Garcia stabbed the victim in his upper torso and then fled the scene.

When officers arrived at the liquor store in the 1600 block of North Broadway, they were unable to locate a victim or any witnesses, according to police.

A short time later the injured man arrived at Marian Regional Medical Center , but reportedly offered little information about the stabbing to investigators, police said.

Garcia is also believed to be a member of a local criminal street gang and faces a gang enhancement charge related to the alleged stabbing. He was booked at Santa Barbara County Jail on both charges.

The incident remains under investigation and anyone with further information is urged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department at (805) 928-3781.

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