This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Pedestrians enjoyed their time on Santa Barbara's heavily trod State Street were treated to some very pointed panhandling this week, which involved a man throwing a 22-inch machete into the air and yelling at folks going by."Give me your money," a man identified as Trevor Ian Ruggles was heard shouting to people Monday.
"A police department civilian officer witnessed what was happening, and made a citizens arrest of the 23 year old transient from North Carolina," reports KCLU, who note that Ruggles also threatened pedestrians who passed him by.
People ended up being scared and dashing away from the panhandler.
When approached by officers, Ruggles tried to stash his machete, reports L.A. Now. The weapon was ultimately seized as evidence.
Ruggles was "cited for aggressive panhandling and carrying a knife in plain view with a blade in excess of 3 inches."
As a bonus, Ruggles has gotten into trouble in Los Angeles County, where he has "an outstanding, non-extraditable, $5,000 misdemeanor warrant for an alleged municipal-code violation in Santa Monica." He was issued a "notice to appear" for that warrant.
