Our Fallen Heroes

While we are overcome with sadness, we have been greatly comforted and cared for by our community and our brothers and sisters in law enforcement.  We are also extremely proud of these officers and all the men and women of the Santa Cruz Police Department. We will have more to say in the future, but now is a time to grieve and support each other. 

Sergeant Butch Baker

Officer Elizabeth Butler

$250,000 Warrant for Home Invasion Robbery Suspect

The Santa Cruz Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for the second suspect in a home invasion robbery that occurred on February 20, 2013 in the 500 block of Poplar Ave.  The suspect has been identified as:

Esteban Lopez – 22 Years Old

Hispanic Male Adult

5 feet 7 inches - 130 lbs

Santa Cruz Resident

Mr. Lopez fled the scene of the crime and was not located on the night of this incident.  In addition to other follow up work on this case, detectives have been attempting to track down Mr. Lopez over the past 2 days.  His whereabouts are currently not known.  He has not been seen at his home, work, or frequented locations. 

The bail amount on the warrant is $250,000, with charges including (1) Robbery, (2) False Imprisonment, (3) Burglary, and (4) Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  Mr. Lopez is a confirmed “Beach Flats Sureno” gang member with an extensive history of law enforcement contact, including weapons and narcotics violations. 

Anyone with information about Mr. Lopez’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 9-1-1.   

To Fight Back or Not During an Attack? Our Thoughts...

The question is often posed to the police department, “Do you recommend people fight back during an attack?”  This is a complex question that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” response.  

This morning's edition of The Sentinel had a line in their article that indicated "police" do not recommend people fight back.  While the comment was not specifically attributed to Santa Cruz PD, in light of the comment in the article and the circumstances of yesterday’s attack, we wanted to make our position clear on this matter.   

Here are our thoughts on this question:

The decision to fight back or not is a deeply personal one that can only be made by the person experiencing the attack.  There is not one universal answer for all people in all situations.  Each person has a different comfort level with their own capabilities to resist or survive an attack.  Each set of circumstances is different and poses unique challenges. We do recommend prioritizing your decision in this way:

1. Survive the attack.  Above all, do what you have to do to survive, and minimize harm to yourself
2. Escape harm.  Get yourself out of harms-way as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
3. Observe.  Finally, be a good witness.  Give the police the information they need to identify a suspect and put together a good case for prosecution. 

 When considering whether to “fight back” consider these points:

• What are the risks and potential harm of fighting versus the risk and harm of cooperating?  
• What are your capabilities and comfort with your fighting skills?  What are you prepared to do?
• What are the suspect’s capabilities?  Are you overpowered or outnumbered? Are they armed or could they disarm you? 

These are decisions that only the person involved in the attack, in the moment can make.  While we wish no one had to experience an attack, the fact is, there are people out there intent on doing harm in our community.  We encourage you to think about these points and consider what you would do if you found yourself in this situation. 

 

Know that the men and women of the Santa Cruz Police Department are working tirelessly to keep our community safe and to solve the crimes that have occurred.

As always, feel free to ask us questions and seek clarification on these matters.  Stay Safe! 

REWARDS Offered for Information

The Santa Cruz Police Department is announcing a 

$5,000 REWARD 

for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for each of the following recent crimes:

Homicide of Pauly Silva Case #13S-01203

On February 9, 2013 at approximately 12:30 AM, Mr. Silva was shot during a confrontation that occurred outside The Red and The Red Room bars at Locust St and Cedar St. Mr. Silva was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene. The police department arrested three individuals on the night of the shooting, but none have been charged at this point.

Robbery and Attempt Homicide of UCSC Student Case #13S-01291

On February 11, 2013 at approximately 7:30 PM, a UCSC student was shot during the course of a robbery while she sat at a bus bench on Natural Bridges Drive near Delaware St. Initially, the victim believed she was hit in the head with the rifle; however, a later medical examination showed she had actually been shot and the bullet was still lodged in her skull. The victim is expected to make a full recovery from her injuries. The victim’s stolen backpack was found near a dumpster on the east side of Santa Cruz. Video footage from the area shows a white or silver Chevy HHR as being associated with the drop off of the backpack. A sketch has been released in this case.

Additionally, a 

$2,500 REWARD 

is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible suspects in the following case:

Robbery at Food Bin, Case #13S-01348

On February 13, 2013 at approximately 7:30 PM, two masked men entered Food Bin, 1130 Mission Street. One was armed with a rifle while the other armed with a large knife. The suspects ordered everyone to the floor and demanded money. They robbed the business of cash as well as an iPad and iPhone from one of the customers. The suspects also kicked a customer in the face during the course of the robbery.

   

We are committed to solving these crimes and arresting the responsible individuals. Our detectives are working tirelessly on all available leads in these cases. We are hopeful that key pieces of information will come forward.  The police department believes there are individuals who have additional information and might be encouraged by the prospect of a reward.

Money for the rewards comes from a Police Department budget adjustment.  The Police Department does not have money specifically allocated for rewards.

Community members interested in donating to the Police Department’s Community Care Fund and increasing potential reward offerings may do so.

UCSC Rape Suspect

The Santa Cruz Police Department is working closely with the UCSC Police Department to identify and locate the suspect in a Sexual Assault.  The assault occurred on campus Sunday February 17th.  We have posted flyers in the neighborhood and trails leading to campus.  Help us identify and catch this predator! 

The suspect is described as:

•  White male adult, 30 to 40 years of age, pale colored skin round shaped face,
• 5'-10" to 5'-11" tall, at least 200 lbs. with a muscular-stocky build 
• Dark black, medium length hair, green eyes, 
• Dark black large growth full mustache goatee combination

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the UC Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-459-2231. Reports may also be made ANONYMOUSLY to the UC Santa Cruz Police Department by calling 831-459-3TIP (459-3847) or online at http://police.ucsc.edu/report/index.html.

Tips may also be received by calling the City of Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820. ANONYMOUS information regarding this incident may be also left on the City of Santa Cruz Police Department TIP LINE (831) 420-5995 or through our mobile iPhone and Android App.

This Week's MOST WANTED

These suspects are still outstanding in the homicide of Tyler Tenario in 2009.  Detectives continue to develop leads in the whereabouts of both suspects.  We have also tried to gain the cooperation of Mexican authorities to help locate and extradite the suspects.   It is possible both have traveled back and forth between the U.S. and Mexico.  

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit (831) 420-5820.  Tipsters may also leave an anonymous tip via our Tipline (831) 420-5995, or by using our iPhone and Android mobile apps.  

Name:  Paulo Luna

Wanted for:  Wanted for 187 PC-murder with 186.22 PC-gang enhancement

Age: 26

Description:  5’09”, 150, brown hair and brown eyes

City of Residence: Santa Cruz County 

 

Name:  Ivan Ramirez Tapia

Wanted for:  Wanted for 187 PC-murder with 186.22 PC-gang enhancement

Age: 26  

Description:  5’08”, 180, black hair and brown eyes 

City of Residence: Santa Cruz County