Santa Barbara County, CA – A 22-year-old Los Angeles man has been arrested in connection with a high-value cannabis cultivation burglary in Carpinteria, authorities said. Detectives are now examining whether the case may be linked to other recent break-ins along the Foothill Road corridor in Santa Barbara County.
The arrest follows a January burglary in which officials say hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of marijuana was stolen from a licensed cannabis grow operation.
Incident Overview
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the burglary occurred on January 17 at a cannabis cultivation site located in the 4000 block of Foothill Road in Carpinteria.
Deputies responded to the scene shortly before 2 a.m., but by the time they arrived, the suspects had already fled the area. Investigators later determined that a substantial quantity of processed cannabis had been taken during the break-in, resulting in major financial losses for the operation.
The rural Foothill Road corridor has increasingly become a focus for investigators due to multiple reported incidents targeting cannabis facilities in recent weeks.
Identification and Arrest of Suspect
Through follow-up investigation, detectives identified Dvaryae Bryant, 22, of Los Angeles, as a suspect in the burglary. Authorities coordinated with the Los Angeles Police Department, which was conducting a separate but parallel investigation involving Bryant.
Bryant was arrested on February 18 at a residence in Los Angeles.
During the arrest, authorities say Bryant allegedly threw a short-barrel assault rifle from a window. The weapon was recovered by detectives at the scene.
Bryant was subsequently booked at the Van Nuys Jail and is expected to be extradited to Santa Barbara County on a no-bail felony warrant.
Charges Filed
Bryant faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Burglary
- Conspiracy
- Grand theft
- Gang enhancement
Authorities emphasized that the no-bail warrant reflects the seriousness of the allegations and Bryant’s prior criminal history.
Evidence Recovered in Hawthorne Search
Investigators also served a search warrant at a location in Hawthorne, California, as part of the broader investigation.
During the search, detectives recovered:
- Approximately 15 pounds of processed cannabis
- Additional firearms
- Thousands of dollars in cash
The seized evidence is now part of the ongoing case file and may be used in future prosecution proceedings.
Prior Criminal History
Court and law enforcement records show Bryant has prior arrests and felony convictions in both California and Florida.
In July 2021, Costa Mesa police arrested him on suspicion of evading officers and felony firearm possession following a high-speed pursuit.
In 2022, authorities in Escambia County, Florida, arrested him on charges including resisting arrest and discharging a firearm at a residence.
Los Angeles Superior Court records indicate that in November 2023, Bryant was convicted of second-degree robbery and sentenced to two years in state prison. In a concurrent case, he received a 16-month sentence for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.
Court documents show he received custody credits toward those sentences.
In October 2025, Bryant was charged in a separate case with possession of an assault weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. That case remains pending.
Possible Links to Other Foothill Road Burglaries
Detectives are now reviewing whether the January 17 burglary is connected to other similar incidents along the same corridor.
One notable case occurred on February 4 at a cannabis grow site in the 4500 block of Foothill Road. That early-morning burglary ended in chaos after a fleeing vehicle overturned near Foothill Road and Santa Monica Road, resulting in multiple crashes.
In that incident, deputies arrested:
- Abraham Bustos, 21, of Lynwood
- Two 17-year-old juveniles
A handgun was recovered from the overturned BMW, and investigators stated that additional suspects remain outstanding.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Raquel Zick confirmed detectives are actively exploring potential connections between the cases.
“Detectives are investigating potential links between this case and other similar burglaries in Santa Barbara County,” Zick said.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Bryant is directly tied to the February 4 suspects. However, both incidents occurred within blocks of each other, involved out-of-county individuals, and targeted cannabis cultivation facilities in the same rural stretch.
Public Safety Concerns
Law enforcement officials note that cannabis grow operations can be attractive targets due to the high value of processed marijuana and associated cash transactions. Burglaries involving firearms present heightened risks not only to employees and property owners but also to nearby residents.
Authorities continue to urge cannabis operators to strengthen surveillance systems, improve lighting, and coordinate closely with local law enforcement to deter organized criminal activity.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active as detectives analyze evidence, review surveillance footage, and determine whether additional suspects may be involved.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives at (805) 681-4150.
Conclusion
The arrest of Dvaryae Bryant, 22, marks a significant development in the investigation of the high-dollar cannabis grow burglary in Carpinteria. With possible links to other break-ins along Foothill Road, authorities are continuing to piece together whether the incidents are coordinated or isolated events.
As the case moves forward and extradition proceedings begin, additional details may emerge regarding the scope of the suspected criminal activity.
If you live or operate a business in the area, stay alert and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. Share your experiences in the comments below.
