The arrest of a Santa Barbara Community College Student on Aug. 19 on the 6600 block of Sabado Tarde Road is being called into question by witnesses, who recorded the situation and posted about it on social media. The video can be viewed below:
The 19-year-old student, Lawrence Omolo, was arrested for allegedly carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, resisting arrest, carrying an open container in public and possession by a minor. He declined to give his address to officers.
He is currently being held on a $20,000 bail.
Omolo took a class this past summer at Santa Barbara Community College (SBCC) and is currently registered for the fall semester, according to SBCC representative Amanda Jacobs.
In a statement from Santa Barbara County Sheriff Office (SBSO) spokesperson Kelly Hoover, Hoover said deputies first came across Omolo at approximately 11:45 p.m. with an open container. According to Hoover, Omolo was “uncooperative” and “fled on foot.”
When authorities apprehended him on the 6600 block of Sabado Tarde, they found him to be “in possession of a 9-inch hatchet.”
When asked for body camera footage, Hoover said that SBSO does not release body camera footage of an incident for an incident that is currently under investigation, in accordance with Government Code 6254(f).
Michael Kile, a sixth-year UC Santa Barbara student, said he and his friends were walking on the 66 block of Sabado Tarde when they came across what appeared to be a “cop following a civilian,” Kile said.
Kile and his friends then began following the officer and Omolo. Kile then began to record the situation.
“I saw a white cop following a Black man and the body language showed that the victim was just wanting to get away and that the cop was annoyed and angry,” Kile said.
Kile stated that the original officer proceeded to follow Omolo for a short while before a second officer attempted to put handcuffs on him while pushing Omolo against a car.
In the four and a half minute video recorded by Kile, Omolo can be seen moving his hands away as the officers attempt to cuff him. As officers tell him to stop resisting, Omolo says, “That’s not resisting. Look, all I wanted to do was get my video, then I will sit here and talk to y’all. I’m not doing anything.”
As officers continue to try to put handcuffs on Omolo, one says, “He’s got an axe in his front right pocket.”
Another officer then tells Kile and his companions to back away from the scene. Omolo shouts to them, “No, I want them to video this. Video this!”
Kile and his friends can be heard documenting the number of officers and police vehicles on the scene, which totalled nine and three respectively, according to their count.
When one of Kile’s friends ask why there are nine officers on the scene to arrest one man, the officer responds, “Because the person that ran from us has an axe in his front waistband.”
This article will be updated.
Thanks BLM. Cops can’t do their jobs without getting harassed and accused of racism.
Yes, that’s the point. It’s working perfectly.
13/90
What now?
Ah, they’re back! The scourge of Isla Vista, the out of district SBCC contingent w/ their silly little antics! That’s right, rules don’t apply to them, they’re special. But special in a retarded way (no, not mental disability intended, so DON’T go there!). They’re held back & stunted. They’re just here to party it up while mommy & daddy think they’re killing it academically! LOSERS They got community colleges in their communities, but come here to SANTA BARBARA Community College, yet live in ISLA VISTA! Do the math! These worthless fucks couldn’t get into a regular college, wanna party, here… Read more »
Damn, someone is triggered…
So are you BIG MAD or little mad ?
1. The point of this video totally went over your head and 2. It’s called getting a college experience away from home while paying a fraction of what Ucsb students pay lmaoo sbcc student legit share many of the same teachers. And your poli Sci department has your students studying and reading work from OUR faculty. Get off your high horse. Since your so angry and clearly triggered next time say this with your chest and don’t hide by being anonymous.
Aren’t you “hiding behind being anonymous”
Our community can’t support the thousands of out of district students SBCC brings in. SBCC is a COMMUNITY COLLEGE and is supposed to serve people who already live in the community. We are sick of all the students/criminals SBCC brings into our community.
Anything but obsequious compliance is grounds for a peace officer claiming you resisted, allowing them to beat you to death or shoot you. At first verbal contact everyone should raise their hands and sit on the ground… anything else is risking violence from them… and the officer themself never has to face any consequences… all official records of the incident will be sealed and the taxpayer (not the officer) will pay ever $ for any court costs or judgements. When you are sitting on the ground with your hands raised, there are only two responses to give, very nicely and… Read more »
Good advice! However, I would suggest that you comply with all directions given by a police officer to show your cooperation.
Well, actually, complying with all directions is extremely dangerous. I’ve seen an instruction to show ID, the detainee reach toward his wallet, and then they take the detainee down, knees to back, forearm on neck. “He started to go for his gun!” the same officer who asked for the wallet shouted. Best to keep hands raised, and say politely and respectfully “Sir, my attorney will be happy to respond on my behalf” and keep hands in the air at all times, no matter what the direction is.
That would be illegal and you would be arrested… but hey… your choice to break the law.
Let’s see, underage drinking, concealed weapon, public intoxication, ignoring legal commands by a peace officer (i.e. resisting arrest). Sounds like a real smart guy. His friends with the phone video were lucky they weren’t charged with obstructing justice by interfering with the police officer in the commission of his official duties.