Great Work by Our Detectives Seizing Illegal Firearms and Ammo

In the early morning hours of May 24, 2013, Santa Cruz Police Department Detectives served a search warrant on a mobile home in the Beachcomber Mobile Home Park on Mattison Lane in the unincorporated Live Oak area.   The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into an elaborate plot of Grand Theft from a Santa Cruz business.   Suspect Nicholas Yukich was arrested in the early morning hours of May 24, 2013 in the city of Santa Cruz on charges of conspiracy to commit Grand Theft.  Yukich was arrested before he was able to carry out his planned heist. 

Detectives learned of the plot from informants and began exploring the information.   The investigation revealed that Mr. Yukich was the mastermind behind the planned heist, and he attempted to recruit others into his scheme.   The plan had been in the works for months and included surveillance and reconnaissance of the intended target. 

In the course of serving the search warrant, Detectives uncovered a cache of weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns and handguns.  In all, 48 firearms, numerous high-capacity magazines and over 50,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the mobile home.  

Many of the seized firearms (Photos Attached) are believed to be in violation of California State laws prohibiting certain types of firearms classified as “Assault Weapons”.  Additionally, some of the ammunition is believed to be “armor-piercing” and also illegal to possess in California.   

 Detectives are continuing to pour over the cache of weapons and ammunition.  Experts from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are being consulted to assist in classifying the firearms and ammunition.  

 Yukich is currently being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail on a charge of conspiracy to commit Grand Theft with a $500,000 bail.  Additional firearms charges are pending. 

Department Photo Snapped Today

The Police Department lined up in Class A uniforms for a department photo at the Lighthouse.   The last department photo was in 2008.  Here is a sneak preview

This was the first time the entire department has been together since the memorial service for Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.  Chief Vogel addressed the department and dedicated the photo to Butch and Elizabeth.  A full size photo of Butch and Elizabeth was placed on easels and included in the department photo. 

All members of the department displayed their newly issued uniform pins honoring the memory of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.  The pins will be a permanent part of the police uniform and will forever honor their legacy.  The pins contain the officers’ badge numbers above the “Thin Blue Line” and the date of their “End of Watch” below the line.   The pins will be issued in perpetuity to new officers.  New members of the department will be required to earn their pin by completing a research project on Butch and Elizabeth, the concept of honor, and their own responsibility to honor the legacy of Butch and Elizabeth in all that they do as they serve this community.    

Special thanks to Parks & Rec for their help with getting the grounds prepared and logistics.  Also a special thanks to Ken Morse from Lifesaver Towing for transporting the bleachers to the Lighthouse to use as risers.  

Jon Covello from Covello & Covello Photography snapped the photo as he has done dating back decades. 

Dispatcher's Stitches Help the Healing

Dispatcher Kristine Ebersole created a beautiful banner quilt to honor the memory of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.  Kristine Writes:

 “I awoke early on the 29^th of February with my heart breaking.  In my sadness and shock, I was moved to create something that expressed my grief and respect at the same time.  This quilt was hand made with love and respect in honor of Sgt. Butch Baker 105 & Det. Elizabeth Butler 172 by Dispatcher Kristine Ebersole, SCR911. 2/29/13”

 Kristine presented the finished quilt to Chief Vogel last week.   

If you look closely, you can see where she stitched in the words “Protect & Serve” and “EOW 2-26-13”.  Nice work Kristine!!

We are honored to display this beautiful quilt made with care and love from Kristine.

Bike Dojo Spins Up Donation for Fallen Officers

Many, many thanks to the good people at Bike Dojo. 

Bike Dojo raised a hefty $5,250 donation to contribute to the scholarship fund for the families of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler. 

The money was raised from a three-hour spin class “Spin For a Cause”, hosted by Bike Dojo.

On Friday May 17th, Rob and Kim Mylls, owners of Bike Dojo and Mayor Hilary Bryant presented a check to Kevin Vogel, Chief of Police, and Deputy Chief of Police Steve Clark and Rick Martinez.

We are so grateful for all the care and support from this community and exemplified through great partners like Bike Dojo.

Thanks Bike Dojo…Keep on Spinnin’ 

SCPD Attends California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony

On Monday, Santa Cruz Police Honor Guard representatives attended the 2013 ceremony for the California Peace Officers' Memorial.  Our Honor Guard accompanied the Baker family to the ceremony.  In next year's ceremony, (May 2014) Sergeant Butch Baker and Officer Elizabeth Butler will be added to the names on the memorial.  

California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies have been conducted in the State Capitol since 1977. It is a ceremony that honors the officers who have fallen in the line-of-duty the preceding year, recognizing the sacrifice of those loved and left behind.  To learn more about the California Peace Officers' Memorial, click below:

http://www.camemorial.org/
 
A short video is available here or on our YouTube Channel:

California Peace Officers' Memorial Video

On May 1st we also attended the Monterey County Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony where Sergeant Baker and Officer Butler were honored. 

 
In addition to the California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony, National Police Week will be recognized May 12th through May 18th.  In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.To learn more about the National Law Enforcement Memorial click below:

http://www.nleomf.org/