A typical Sunday afternoon at the neighborhood Trader Joe’s in Santa Barbara took an unexpected and chaotic turn when a 26-year-old man caused havoc in the store’s parking lot. The man, identified as Zanabria, was driving a stolen SUV and reportedly rammed into several parked cars, narrowly missing shoppers, before speeding off, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Witnesses described a scene straight out of a movie. “He backed into cars, nearly hit people, and just took off,” one bystander shared. Moments later, as he exited the lot, things escalated. Zanabria reportedly ran a red light, shouted racial slurs at Black pedestrians, and came dangerously close to hitting a group of cyclists.
Shocked bystanders immediately called 911, and Santa Barbara police quickly responded. Officers found Zanabria just a few blocks away, but when they tried to approach him, he bolted. A short foot chase ensued, and officers managed to catch and arrest him. He was taken to the Santa Barbara County Jail.
Zanabria is now facing serious charges, including hit-and-run, driving under the influence, possessing a stolen vehicle, making criminal threats, and violating his parole. With a long criminal history—including two strikes under California’s three-strikes law for carjacking, assault, and drug possession—he’s being held without bail.
This shocking series of events turned what should have been a routine shopping trip into a story that left the community shaken but thankful no one was seriously injured. The incident is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of everyday life and the quick response of law enforcement to keep people safe.
