By F. Scott Faulkner
October 22, 2025 – Santa Barbara, CA
A Santa Barbara Police Department Officer who approached a suspiciously parked car on the
evening of October18 found himself the target of a vehicular assault that sent him to the
hospital.
According to SBPD spokesman Sgt. Jarrod Foote, officers on patrol discovered what appeared
to be a stolen car parked in a shared lot in downtown Santa Barbara.
When they moved in, they found Kevin Benitez-Carbajal, 24, of Santa Barbara, sitting in the driver’s seat.
As they attempted to make contact with him, Benitez-Carbajal “suddenly threw the vehicle into reverse,”
striking one of the officers before attempting to escape.
“The suspect attempted to elude capture,” whereupon officers used “a conducted energy device”
to subdue Benitez-Carbajal following a brief struggle.
Once tasered and less combative, Benitez-Carbajal was summarily taken into custody without further incident.
Benitez-Carbajal was then transported to Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on
multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including vehicle theft, vandalism, resisting an
officer, and hit-and-run causing injuries.
His bail was initially set at $500,000 but that has since been revoked; he remains in custody on a no-bail hold.
