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Visalia Today
By the People, for the People
SoCal Cops Offer Special Valentine's Date with Felon Exes
Santa Maria Police Department's viral video features handcuffs as the 'gift' for those with outstanding warrants.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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The Santa Maria Police Department in Southern California posted a humorous video on social media ahead of Valentine's Day, offering to 'pick up' people's felon exes who have outstanding warrants. The video, which was inspired by a similar post from the Visalia Police Department the previous year, features an officer holding a box of chocolates that instead contains handcuffs, with the message 'Roses are red, violets are blue, got an ex with warrants, we'll pick them up for you.'
Why it matters
The video is part of the Santa Maria Police Department's efforts to connect with the community in a lighthearted way, showcasing the 'human side' of law enforcement. It also highlights the ongoing issue of repeat offenders and the challenges faced by police in apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants.
The details
In the video, Officer Juan Robles, a 10-year veteran of the department, holds up a large red box that appears to contain chocolates. However, when he opens the box, it reveals a pair of handcuffs instead. The video was the idea of the department's social media team, who were inspired by a similar post from the Visalia Police Department the previous year.
- The Santa Maria Police Department posted the video on social media on February 13, 2026, ahead of Valentine's Day.
The players
Santa Maria Police Department
A law enforcement agency in Southern California that posted a humorous video on social media offering to 'pick up' people's felon exes with outstanding warrants as a Valentine's Day 'gift'.
Officer Juan Robles
A 10-year veteran of the Santa Maria Police Department who was featured in the department's Valentine's Day video holding a box of chocolates that contained handcuffs instead.
Lt. Felix Diaz
An 18-year veteran of the Santa Maria Police Department who said the video was a 'satire on Valentine's Day' and an effort to do outreach to the community to show the 'human side' of law enforcement.
Visalia Police Department
A law enforcement agency in Central California that had done a similar Valentine's Day-themed video the previous year, which inspired the Santa Maria Police Department to create their own version.
Danielle Robles
The wife of Officer Juan Robles, who shared the video on social media and noted that her husband was 'loving all the attention' from being featured in it.
What’s next
The Santa Maria Police Department plans to continue using social media to connect with the community in a lighthearted and engaging way, showcasing the 'human side' of law enforcement.
The takeaway
The Santa Maria Police Department's Valentine's Day video highlights the creative ways law enforcement agencies are using social media to build stronger relationships with the communities they serve, while also addressing serious issues like outstanding warrants in a humorous and approachable manner.
