Jack Alegre
Features Editor
A University of California, Santa Barbara student was arrested early Thursday morning on suspicion of forcibly stealing a cell phone, trying to force his way into a vehicle, and tackling a female victim to the ground during a nighttime crime spree through Isla Vista.
Jeremy Jameel Kim, 19, was booked into Santa Barbara County Main Jail on charges of robbery, battery, malicious mischief to a vehicle, challenging someone to fight, and resisting arrest, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Lt. Kevin Huddle said in a release.
I.V. Foot Patrol first responded to a report of a robbery at around 12:40 a.m. The victim was walking in the area of Camino Del Sur and Abrego Road when Kim, Huddle said, walked up and grabbed his arm, snatching his cell phone from his hand. He then ran away from the victim, who returned home and alerted law enforcement.
Around 1:50 a.m., IVFP responded to reports of an Asian male jumping onto vehicles at the intersection of Camino Pescadero and Sueno Road. Upon arrival, police identified the man as Kim. Kim tried to run away, but was apprehended a few blocks down at the intersection of Camino Pescadero and Cordoba Road, Huddle said.
As law enforcement followed up on the arrest, they found Kim to be responsible for a slew of other, unrelated crimes that night, Huddle said.
Earlier that night, Kim allegedly tackled a female victim to the ground — “for no apparent reason,” Huddle said. The woman suffered minor head injuries in the incident.
Before the initial robbery of a cell phone, Huddle said, Kim allegedly attempted to force his way into a vehicle on Sueno Road. A male victim inside the car said he was trying to park the car at the time. When Kim could not enter the car, Huddle said, he jumped on top of it, before the man accelerated enough that Kim fell off of it.
As of press time, Huddle did not confirm if the victims are UCSB students.