SANTA PAULA, Calif. — A 30-year-old Santa Paula resident remains held on $500,000 bail after allegedly robbing a local convenience store at knifepoint while wearing a ski mask, according to law enforcement authorities.
The suspect, identified as Michael Zepeda, was taken into police custody on Monday afternoon, August 3, 2026, following a swift emergency response and K9 track led by the Santa Paula Police Department.
According to official press statements released by police officials, dispatchers received multiple urgent 911 calls reporting an armed robbery in progress at the Circle K gas station and convenience store located in the 700 block of Harvard Boulevard at approximately 2:20 p.m.
Masked Suspect Threatens Store Clerks at Knifepoint
Investigating officers detailed that Zepeda entered the commercial establishment wearing a full ski mask to conceal his face.
Once inside the business, Zepeda brandished a large knife, directly threatening two store employees with physical harm while demanding cash from the store register. Fearing for their personal safety, the clerks complied and handed over a significant quantity of paper currency.
After securing the stolen funds, Zepeda fled the storefront on foot, heading north toward a nearby drainage flood channel to evade approaching patrol vehicles.
Santa Paula Police Department patrol officers arrived on scene in less than one minute after the initial 911 dispatch. Responding officers quickly established a secure containment perimeter around the commercial corridor and the adjacent drainage channel.
Police K9 Unit Tracks Suspect to Flood Channel Hideout
To assist with the search, a Santa Paula Police Department K9 team was deployed to track the suspect's scent from the convenience store exit into the brush.
Within a short time, the police dog successfully led officers directly to Zepeda’s hiding spot inside the flood channel north of Harvard Boulevard. Zepeda was taken into custody without further incident.
During a subsequent search of the surrounding drainage area, investigating officers and detectives successfully recovered the knife used in the assault, the ski mask, and the full amount of stolen cash. Detectives noted that Zepeda had attempted to destroy or conceal evidence by stripping off his outer clothing and hiding the bag containing the cash prior to his apprehension.
"Officers arrived on scene in less than one minute after the call was dispatched... A K9 was used to track the suspect’s scent. Shortly after, the K9 and handler located Zepeda and he was arrested without incident," the Santa Paula Police Department confirmed in an official statement.
Booking Information, Criminal Charges, and Investigation Contact
Following his arrest at the scene, Zepeda was transported to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. He was formally booked on multiple severe felony and misdemeanor charges:
- Robbery
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Brandishing a Deadly Weapon
- Concealing or Destroying Evidence
Zepeda remains in county custody with bail set at $500,000 pending his initial arraignment hearing in Ventura County Superior Court.
The criminal investigation into the armed robbery remains active and ongoing. Santa Paula Police Department detectives urge anyone who witnessed the incident, possesses surveillance footage along Harvard Boulevard, or has additional information to contact Detective Matt Harbin directly at (805) 826-2969 or via email at mharbin@santapaula.gov.