Santa Maria Police Arrest Burglary Suspect

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Santa Maria police officers arrested a 44-year-old man, Edilfonso Diaz, for burglary and elder abuse after a caller reported a break-in at a residence on the 1700 block of S. Thornburg Street. Diaz fled the scene but was later located and detained by officers in the area of Shiela Lane and Lincoln Street.

Why it matters

Burglaries and property crimes remain an ongoing concern for many California communities, with police working to quickly respond to incidents and apprehend suspects. This arrest highlights the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and residents to help maintain public safety.

The details

Shortly before 3 a.m., a caller reported a burglary in progress at a residence on the 1700 block of S. Thornburg Street. Officers arrived to find the suspect had fled the scene. During their search, officers located Edilfonso Diaz, a 44-year-old Santa Maria resident, in the area of Shiela Lane and Lincoln Street who was acting erratically. Officers detained Diaz and identified him as the burglary suspect. He was then arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara North County Jail on charges of burglary and elder abuse.

• The burglary was reported shortly before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
• Edilfonso Diaz was located and detained by police in the area of Shiela Lane and Lincoln Street.