Man arrested for allegedly threatening Santa Maria police

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A Santa Maria man was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of threatening the lives of Santa Maria police officers and their families, including targeting and stalking officers’ homes, police said.

The threat came to light on Friday at approximately 9:46 p.m., when the Santa Maria Police Department received information regarding Santa Maria Police officers and officers’ family members being threatened via social media posts, Sgt. Daniel Rios said in a police department news brief posted online Saturday.

Officers initiated an investigation, and a suspect, Albert Varelas, 34, was identified, Sgt. Rios said. Mr. Varelas’ social media account was also located.