Saturday, November 26, 2011

Carlsbad, CA: CARLSBAD: Suspect arrested in woman's disappearance

A Carlsbad Police detective outside the Carlsbad residence of a missing woman Friday. BILL WECHTER | bwechter@nctimes.com

A Fallbrook man was arrested Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend, 35-year-old Kathleen Scharbarth, who disappeared from her Carlsbad home late Wednesday, police said.
Michael David Robles, 43, was booked into the Vista jail early Friday morning in connection with the suspected crimes against Scharbarth, according to a Carlsbad police news release. He was being held without bail.
Despite the charges, police said they still had hope that Scharbarth would be found alive. The search for her was continuing late Friday afternoon.
Scharbarth was last seen late Wednesday night near her home in the 3100 block of Via Puerta in southeast Carlsbad, authorities have said.
Her current boyfriend, Daniel Weber, was supposed to pick her up for breakfast Thursday, according to a report by North County Times' media partner, NBC San Diego. When he got to the apartment, Scharbarth was gone, but her 13-year-old daughter was asleep inside, the door left open.
Weber was the last person to see Scharbarth on Wednesday night about 11:30 p.m. when she walked him to his car, according to NBC San Diego. Earlier in the evening, a neighbor said, a man was lurking outside Scharbarth's apartment.
Friends told NBC San Diego on Thursday that they believe Scharbarth's ex-boyfriend, who they did not name, is involved. They said he has hurt her before.
Court records show Scharbarth filed a domestic violence case against Robles last week.
Scharbarth had obtained a temporary restraining order against Robles as part of the domestic violence case, NBC San Diego reported.
Carlsbad police said they produced search warrants for Scharbarth's residence and one for the suspect's Fallbrook residence.
Police added that, with assistance from the San Diego County and Orange County Sheriff's Search and Rescue teams, they are searching the area around where Scharbarth was last seen.
Authorities also were searching for Scharbarth in the Fallbrook area, police said.
In addition, special agents with the California Department of Justice continued to assist Carlsbad detectives with the ongoing investigation, police said.
Scharbarth's friend, Janel Hill, told NBC San Diego that Scharbarth is a graduate of San Dieguito High School and owns her own furniture company.
"I think she was snatched," Hill told NBC. "I think somebody took her. She wouldn't leave her daughter here all night. It doesn't make sense."
Friends say it has been difficult to get a search warrant to start collecting evidence from Scharbarth's apartment because of the Thanksgiving holiday, NBC San Diego reported.
Carlsbad police continue to ask for the public's help in locating Scharbarth.
A Facebook page has been set up for those wishing to print out fliers. Anyone with information should call the Carlsbad Police Department at 760-931-2197.
Scharbarth is described by police as white, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 125 pounds with long, straight blond hair and blue eyes.
She was last seen wearing black pants and a purple shirt.
Anyone with information about Robles, the suspect, or who observed him between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 11 p.m. Thursday is asked to call Carlsbad police at 760-931-2197.
Staff Writers Chris Nichols and Morgan Cook contributed to this story.

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