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Santa Maria Today
By the People, for the People
Santa Maria Police Seize Guns from Alleged Gang Members
Six arrests made and two firearms recovered in weekend gang crackdown
Mar. 24, 2026 at 10:26pm
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Santa Maria police officers made six arrests and seized two guns while countering gang activity over the weekend. Officers recovered an illegally manufactured ghost gun from three known juvenile gang members in Evans Park and confiscated a shotgun from a vehicle with five suspected gang members in Atkinson Park.
Why it matters
Gang violence and illegal firearms possession are ongoing public safety concerns in Santa Maria, a city that has struggled with gang activity for decades. This operation represents the police department's efforts to disrupt criminal gang networks and remove dangerous weapons from the streets.
The details
On Saturday, Gang Suppression Team officers contacted three known juveniles in Evans Park and conducted a lawful detention and pat-down, leading to the recovery of an unlawfully manufactured ghost gun. Police took one suspect into custody and booked them at Juvenile Hall. Later that evening, officers patrolled Atkinson Park and contacted known gang members, seizing a shotgun from a vehicle and taking five suspects into custody. Those five suspects were booked into Juvenile Hall and Santa Barbara County Jail.
- On Saturday, March 22, 2026, police made the initial arrests and gun seizures in Evans Park.
- Later that same evening on March 22, 2026, police made additional arrests and seized a shotgun in Atkinson Park.
The players
Santa Maria Police Department
The local law enforcement agency responsible for the gang crackdown operation and gun seizures in Santa Maria, California.
Gang Suppression Team
A specialized unit within the Santa Maria Police Department focused on disrupting criminal gang activity in the city.
What’s next
The judge will determine whether to release the juvenile suspects on bail or keep them in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The takeaway
This operation highlights the ongoing challenge of gang violence and illegal firearms in Santa Maria, as police work to remove dangerous weapons and disrupt criminal networks. The community will be watching to see if these arrests and gun seizures lead to any reduction in gang-related crime in the city.
