SCPD arrested burglary suspect within 24 hours thanks to a tip from the public.

The Santa Cruz Police Department was able to swiftly develop information identifying this burglary suspect thanks to a tip from the public. Efrain Berulas, 49, from Capitola was arrested on Thursday December 10, 2015 at approximately 11:00 a.m. Berulas was taken into custody without incident.

On Wednesday 12/9/15, SCPD released surveillance photos and video to the public asking for help in identifying a burglary suspect. As a result, a tip about the suspect aided investigators in identifying Efrain Berulas.

Efrain Berulas AKA Francisco Rosas

Berulas initially identified himself as Francisco Rosas. His true identity was discovered after his arrest. Investigators learned Berulas was a convicted felon who had previously been deported. He had also been previously convicted of burglary stemming from a 2001 case.

Detectives served a search warrant at Berulas’ 42nd Ave. home. During the search, Detectives recovered stolen property belonging to the victim including electronics and tools. Detectives also recovered a shotgun and SKS rifle.

Berulas has been charged with burglary, felony possession of a firearm and giving false identification to a police officer.

The Santa Cruz Police Department would like to thank the community for the support in sharing this suspect’s photo. There was an amazing number of shares and re-posts of the SCPD Facebook message & YouTube video on social media. Within a day, investigators were able to identify and arrest the suspect Efrain Berulas due to an anonymous tip received.

Background: On Saturday, December 5, 2015 at approximately 6:15 p.m., the suspected burglar was captured on video surveillance inside the victim’s home. When the victims returned home the next day, they discovered the home had been burglarized. The suspect took electronics and tools while ransacking the home.