– By F. Scott Faulkner
GOLETA, CA — JANUARY 29TH 2026
Suspicious behavior in the parking lot of a Home Depot prompted a sheriff’s response that led to
the arrest of three men and the discovery of a loaded handgun and multiple controlled
substances.
According to Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Raquel
Zick, “a concerned customer” contacted SBSD dispatch after noticing two men sitting inside a
parked blue Jeep Cherokee “put on ski masks and crouch down.” The caller also reported that a
third person had exited the vehicle and walked into the store.
Deputies responded to the area and contacted the occupants of the Jeep, identified as
Malik Brown Asad, 26, a transient, and Nicholas Christopher Dudley, 37, of Los Angeles. Both
men were ordered out of the vehicle and were uncooperative during the encounter.
“As Dudley was being removed from the vehicle, deputies observed Asad making furtive
movements consistent with attempting to conceal an item in his lap,” according to Zick.
Deputies then spotted a handgun resting in Asad’s lap. Asad was held at gunpoint while deputies
secured the loaded firearm.
While continuing the investigation, deputies found Dudley in possession of fentanyl and drug
paraphernalia, while Asad was discovered carrying fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and
items consistent with drug sales.
Deputies then entered the store and located the third individual, Ryan Anthony Hammond, 46, of
Summerland. Hammond was contacted and found in possession of fentanyl and drug
paraphernalia.
All three men were then arrested and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail, where Asad was
booked on multiple felony charges, including carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a
controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled
substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed, and being a prohibited
person in possession of a firearm.
He also faces misdemeanor drug charges and remains in custody with his bail set at $50,000.
Dudley and Hammond were booked on misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled
substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and were later cite-released.
