Attempted Homicide and Assault with Intent to Rape at Best Western South Coast in Goleta; Suspect Identified as Michael Nolan Medina

Accident – death – Obituary News :

Goleta, Calif. – Attempted Homicide and Assault with Intent to Rape Suspect Apprehended

January 10, 2024

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, deputies from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call at the Best Western South Coast hotel in Goleta. The incident, which took place in the 5600-block of Calle Real, involved an attempted homicide and assault with intent to rape. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Michael Nolan Medina of Port Hueneme, California, quickly became the focus of an intense investigation.

After hours of diligent work, law enforcement officers successfully located Medina in the vicinity of Del Norte Drive and Glenn Annie Road in Goleta at approximately 3:30 PM. With the assistance of the Air Support Unit, which is a partnership between the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, deputies were able to apprehend Medina without incident. He was subsequently booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on multiple charges, including attempted homicide, assault with intent to rape, false imprisonment, and criminal threats. Medina’s bail has been set at an astonishing $1,000,000.00.

As the investigation remains ongoing, law enforcement officials are unable to release any further details at this time. However, the swift action and collaboration between the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Support Unit played a crucial role in Medina’s apprehension.

The Air Support Unit, staffed by highly trained firefighters, deputy sheriffs, and professional pilots, is an all-hazard unit that responds to various missions in Santa Barbara County. These missions include aerial firefighting, law enforcement calls, medical response and evacuation, and search and rescue operations. Operating 365 days a year, the unit ensures the safety and security of all jurisdictions within the county.

As the investigation into this shocking incident continues, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information related to this case to come forward and assist in the ongoing efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families.

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