Santa Maria man convicted of murder using surveillance camera data

A Santa Barbara County jury has convicted Kevin Medrano of first-degree murder for the 2023 shooting death of Robert “Bobby” Valencia. The incident occurred outside Valencia’s home on North Railroad Avenue in Santa Maria.

Investigators from the Santa Maria Police Department utilized Flock Safety surveillance camera data to track Medrano’s vehicle and map his movements before and after the killing. District Attorney John Savrnoch noted that the analysis of surveillance footage, digital evidence, and cell phone records was critical to securing the conviction.

Medrano faces a sentence of 50 years to life in state prison and is scheduled to return to court on October 21 regarding two other pending felony cases.