4 Thieves Arrested. All in a day’s work at SCPD

Thursday was a particularly good day for catching thieves. Furthermore, two stolen bikes were returned to their rightful owners!

Incident #1
On Thursday 1/28/16 at 4:43 am, an alert neighbor who witnessed a suspect taking items from his neighbor’s garage quickly called 911. The neighbor gave an excellent description of the suspect wearing a blue colored “Santa Cruz” hoody, carrying backpack and box of items taken from the garage. Within minutes an SCPD Officer arrived to the 1100 block of East Cliff Drive and located the suspect Chayne Hampton, 31, from Santa Cruz.

Chayne Hampton, 31 years old from Santa Cruz
Chayne Hampton had the following items in his possession a speaker, box of knives and an assortment of collectible rocks which were consistent with items that were taken from the victim’s garage. Chayne Hampton was booked in jail for burglary.

Incident #2
On Thursday 1/28/16, at 6:27 am, a SCPD Officer quickly responded to a call about a vehicle burglary in the 200 block of Grant Street. The victim had chased down and restrained the suspect when police arrived. The incident unfolded as the victim was preparing to go to work. He had unlocked his truck that was parked in the back driveway of the residence. The victim went inside his home for a few minutes and came out to find the suspect, Dennis Ballard sitting in driver’s side of the truck and rummaging through the center console.

Dennis Ballard, 47 years old, transient Santa Cruz
Multiple items had been set outside of the truck that was previously inside the cab of the truck. The victim confronted the suspected burglar who started to run away. The victim was able to chase down and hold the suspect down until police arrived.

Items that were taken from the truck included Carhart rain jacket, a chainsaw and an envelope of cash.

SCPD Officers arrested Dennis Ballard, 47, transient from Santa Cruz for grand theft and a felony warrant.

Incident #3

SCPD is please to inform you the results in this case reunited two bikes to back to their rightful owners.

On Thursday 1/28/16, at 10: 45 am, an SCPD Officer doing a routine area check under the Soquel Bridge made contact with Robert Palmer. Mr. Palmer was in possession of two bicycles that did not appear to belong to him. 

The Officer checked the serial numbers on both bikes in the SCPD data base for stolen bikes. One bike was listed as stolen from a UCSC Police case. The other bike had been recently stolen from the Santa Cruz Teen Center. 

Robert Palmer, 27, transient from Santa Cruz was cited at the scene for being in the possession of stolen property. 

Incident #4
On Thursday 1/28/16, at 8:30 pm, SCPD’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team- NET put out a bait bicycle in front of CVS on Front St. After about 10 minutes, Patrick Falconer stole with bicycle. 

Patrick Falconer, 50 years old from Santa Cruz
He was located a short while later in the area of Ocean St. and Soquel Ave. Patrick Falconer, 50, from Santa Cruz claimed the bicycle belonged to his friend even though he said he saw a subject he did not know get off of the bicycle. Patrick Falconer was arrested for a felony theft since the bait bicycle has an appraised value of $3999.

Local Media Gets Showroom Visit with SCPD BearCat

Update on the BearCat

Today, the local media got a showroom visit with the SCPD BearCat.

This new state-of-the-art vehicle will enhance the safety of residents but also ensure the safety and protection of first responders in dangerous and high-risk situations.

 "The safety of our community members and first responders is our top priority.  We hope we never have to use this vehicle, but we will be prepared", said Chief Vogel.
 
We have completed personnel training on the use and capabilities on the armored response rescue truck. Team training is ongoing with firefighters and paramedics, as well.

The BearCat has specialized equipment that takes training and knowledge to operate. SCPD is committed to ensuring our staff is fully trained and certified prior to deploying the vehicle.

In light of the recent incidents in Colorado Springs and San Bernardino, we are fortunate that our City Council agreed 6 to 1 to protect and support our first responders and victims.  The BearCat will play a vital role and be invaluable during these high-risk incidents. 

 "This is one of those pieces of equipment you hope you never have to deploy. But, history has taught us that we need to be prepared and we cannot think it won't happen here.", said Lt. Flippo -ESU Commander

The vehicle allows police officers and first responders to get closer as they approach a variety of tactical situations including; high-risk search or arrest warrants, barricaded suspects, active shooter scenarios, and hostage situations.

SCPD now has the added protection for our police officers as they approach homes, businesses and schools while taking direct fire.
 
SCPD will have the ability to 
1. deploy officers and 1st responders quickly  
2. safely retrieve injured persons and move them to safety 
3. enhance our ability to respond to urgent situations.

The truck, based on a shortened Ford F-550 chassis, has a smooth ride despite its size. It can go as fast as most standard cars. About a dozen officers can fit inside.

This truck will be used to keep people safe and save lives.

Stolen iPad Leads SCPD to Arrest in Home Burglary Case & Fencing Operation

Two suspects who fenced thousands of dollars worth of stolen items including electronics, high-end bikes and jewelry were arrested by Santa Cruz Police. A stolen iPad led Officers directly to the 76 Gas Station on Mission Street and Walnut Avenue where the fencing operation was discovered.

On Friday, January 16, 2016, at about 1:30 p.m., the Santa Cruz Police Department received a call from the victim of a residential burglary who believed he had located his stolen iPad. The victim activated the "Find My iPhone" app and was able to trace his iPad to a location near the corner of Mission Street and Walnut Avenue.

An SCPD patrol officer met with the victim and confirmed that the app signal was emanating from inside the 76 Gas Station at 904 Mission Street. The Officer gave instructions to the victim to sound the alarm on the iPad when the officer was inside the gas station.

While the Officer was speaking with the store manager and an employee standing behind the counter, the iPad alarm sounded. Initially, both suspects claimed not to hear it and tried to ignore the alarm. The stolen iPad was located inside a bag on the counter next to station manager Felipe Chavez and employee Angel Guzman. The bag contained two iPads.

Felipe Chavez, 46 from San Jose

The 76 Gas Station manager is Felipe Chavez, 46 years old from San Jose. Chavez claimed that he had found the bag outside the business in the bushes. Officers continued to investigate and eventually searched Chavez’s truck parked at the business. That search resulted in additional stolen items seized from Chavez. Those items included property stolen from the victim.

Angel Guzman, 19 from Watsonville

The gas station employee is Angel Guzman, 19 years old from Watsonville. During the investigation, Officers also searched Guzman’s car parked at the business. Like Chavez, Guzman also had additional items believed to be stolen in his car.

As the investigation continued, Officers discovered a backroom at the business that contained additional property also believed to be stolen. This property consisted of high-end bicycles and construction tools. Based on this discovery, the business was closed and secured as detectives were called in and a search warrant was obtained.

Mr. Chavez, the 76 station manager, resides in San Jose and is the domestic partner of the business owner. Detectives conducted a search of their home on Flinthaven Drive in San Jose. During this search, Detectives seized 19 mid to high-end bicycles, jewelry and electronics. Detectives have been successful in matching a number of items with property stolen in burglaries throughout Santa Cruz. So far, over $10,000 in stolen property has been matched to previous burglary cases. Detectives believe stolen items were likely traded for goods or resold at the gas station. They may have also off loaded the stolen products at flea markets in the Bay Area.

The investigation found that the suspects are involved in the ongoing distribution of stolen property, also known as a fencing operation. Felipe Chavez was arrested for receiving and possession of stolen property. Angel Guzman was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property.

SCPD Investigative team believes the stolen property came from home and auto break-ins in Santa Cruz and the San Jose area. Police believe that the arrested suspects are part of a larger theft and stolen property operation, and our investigation continues.

SCPD encourages people to enable such security features in their portable electronic devices whenever possible, and to familiarize themselves with how to use them. If your portable electronic device is stolen or lost and you are using a remote application to track its location, notify your local law enforcement agency immediately and do not take independent action to attempt to recover your property.

Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820. 

Bike Thief Arrested & Car Thief Arrested - Thanks to Calls from Alert Citizens

Incident #1
Santa Cruz Police arrested Jared Michael Foster, aka Mark Foster on an array of charges after an alert citizen recognized their stolen bicycle that he was riding.

On Friday, January 15, 2016, at about 12:30 a.m., an alert citizen called SCPD after recognizing his stolen Caletti bicycle valued at $5000.00. The suspect Jared Foster was riding the bicycle through a Westside neighborhood.

Responding to the call, an SCPD officer located the suspect riding the bicycle along the railroad tracks in the 100 block of Fair Avenue. The person matching the suspect description with the described bicycle was later identified as Jared Michael Foster, aka Mark Foster, 34, transient originally from Santa Cruz.

Jared Foster, 34, transient from Santa Cruz
When the Officer attempted to stop the suspect, he dropped the bicycle and sprinted away. As the suspect was running, he took off his sweatshirt and dropped his backpack before he jumped over a fence in his attempt to get away. Santa Cruz Police Officers quickly set up a perimeter and search. Minutes later the suspect was caught. Video surveillance also captured images of Jared Foster jumping over another gated fence onto a storage property in a attempt to hide from pursuing officers.

Jared Michael Foster was on active probation at the time of this incident. He was arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen identification and violation of probation.

Incident #2
On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at about 1:08 a.m., the Santa Cruz Police responded to a call from a resident in the 100 block of Alamo Avenue reporting that her car had just been stolen out of her driveway. The victim heard the car alarm sound from her black BMW 325i.  She looked out the window and saw her car being driven away northbound on Alamo Ave. Officers responded immediately to the area and began to search for the suspect.

Within minutes, an SCPD Officer anticipating the exact route the suspect may have taken spotted the car travelling on Mission Street. The stolen BMW passed him going in the opposite direction. The Officer made a quick U-turn and attempted to catch up to the BMW as it drove down Laurent Street.

Jared Norris, 20, transient from Santa Cruz 

The suspect later identified as Jared Norris abruptly stopped the car on California Street.  Norris then abandoned the car in an attempt to get away. The SCPD Officer chased after the suspect. The suspect was detained by the SCPD Officer at gun point.

The investigation revealed that the Jared Norris had a spare key to the BMW in his possession which was stolen from victim last year.

Jared Norris, 20, transient from Santa Cruz was arrested for vehicle theft, reckless driving, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property.

Drug Bust takes wanted felon & ¾ lbs. of Crystal Meth valued at $27,000 off Santa Cruz Streets.

On Saturday 1/9/16, SCPD Officers and Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) arrested a high-risk wanted felon and his associate. Both were suspected of transporting and selling large quantities of narcotics in the city of Santa Cruz.

SCPD confiscated 3/4 lbs of crystal meth valued $27,000 & $1000 in cash 

SCPD Officers working with NET located and arrested Adrian Puga, 32 from Watsonville and his girlfriend Selene Bazarnick, 33, from Santa Cruz at a storage locker on Mission St. Extension.

SCPD Officers and SCPD K-9 Unit conducted a search of the storage unit and cars associated with Adrian Puga and Selene Bazarnick. During the search, approximately ¾ of a pound of suspected crystal methamphetamine was located in the storage locker and vehicles.

The amount of crystal methamphetamine broken down into grams will produce approximately 340.19 grams. It has a street value of over $27,000. Additionally, $1,000 in cash of suspected narcotics profit was found during the search.

Adrian Puga, 32, Watsonvile resident

Adrian Puga was taken into custody for an outstanding felony warrant for failing to comply with the terms of his Post Release Community Supervision (AB109) and various narcotics related charges.

Selene Bazarnick, 33, Santa Cruz resident 

Selene Bazarnick was taken into custody for possession of suspected methamphetamine and a small quantity of heroin. She was also charged with violating the terms of her probation.

This couple has had multiple contacts with law enforcement. In March 2014, Adrian Puga and Selene Bazarnick were arrested with heroin, methamphetamine, prescription pills, and marijuana for sale. They also had in their possession a stolen gun.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood. 

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team is specialized unit. NET works as a team to focus on mid to long-term issues often times associated with gangs, drugs and other chronic problems throughout the City of Santa Cruz.

SCPD is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

Scam Alert - Beware! Hoax Caller Claiming to Kidnap Relative

The Santa Cruz Police Department is warning the public to beware of a hoax kidnapping scam aimed at extorting money from concerned relatives.

Santa Cruz Police received three reports over the weekend from distraught community members. Victims reported they had received calls from someone claiming to have kidnapped a family member and demanding cash for their safe return. This phone scam attempts to convince the victim to send money despite no actual kidnapping taking place.

All three of the calls were suspiciously very similar. The community member answers the telephone and immediately hears either a baby crying or a female adult crying. A male voice calls the victim by either their first or last name. The male then says, “This is a kidnapping listen to my instructions.”, “We are holding your family members hostage.” or “Send me money or you will never see your family members again”.

In each case, the reporting party hung up on the scam caller. Victims quickly checked on the welfare of their family then called authorities to report the incident.

The Santa Cruz Police confirmed in all three cases that the relative was not in danger.  All the victims’ family members were determined to be safe. SCPD Officers who investigated the scam calls discovered that all the phony calls were made from a blocked or restricted number.

Anyone who receives a similar call is urged to call 911 and should try to get in touch with their family member to determine whether the call is legitimate.

SCPD Police believe this phone scam is a variation of what's come to be called the “Virtual Kidnapping Scam” . The FBI has this advice to avoid being victimized by this or similar scams:

• Resist the pressure to act quickly.
• Try to contact your family member to determine whether or not the call is legitimate.
• Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an e-mail, especially overseas. Wiring money is like giving cash—once you send it, you can’t get it back.
  

Satellite Radio Helps Track a Stolen Car

On January 7, 2016, at approximately 8:35 pm, Santa Cruz Police we responded to a report of a Carjacking in the 100 block of Baldwin Street.   Thanks to the help of Sirius XM radio, we were able to track and recover the stolen car in San Mateo County.  Unfortunately, our suspect managed to escape capture. 

The victim reported that he parked his car in the 100 block of Baldwin Street.  While walking to his home, the victim was approached by the suspect, who demanded the keys to the victim’s car.  The suspect brandished an assault style rifle at the victim while repeating his demand for the keys.  The victim turned over the keys.  The suspect took the car and headed north on Baldwin Street.

Responding officers utilized the “Project ROPE” protocol (a program where officers station at strategic locations throughout the county).  Approximately 10 minutes later, the stolen car was spotted by a Santa Cruz officer at Highway 1 and Western Drive.  The vehicle briefly pulled to the side of the road, but then accelerated away from the officer northbound on Highway 1.  The vehicle quickly reached a speed of 100+ MPH.  Because of the excessive speeds, wet roadways and cross traffic, SCPD discontinued the pursuit after approximately 1 mile.

SCPD had the victim activate a Sirius XM satellite radio feature which tracks the vehicle.  SCPD dispatch received periodic updates on the car’s location from the service.  The suspect eventually drove into San Mateo County, where their Deputies spotted the vehicle and initiated a short pursuit.  San Mateo terminated their pursuit and monitored the vehicle’s travel through the Sirius XM radio tracking.  The car eventually was tracked to a rural roadway off Highway 84 in San Mateo County. 

Because of the remote location, darkness, and the potential that the suspect had a high-powered rifle, the decision was made to monitor the car overnight and recover it this morning.  San Mateo County Deputies monitored the vehicle location and used a helicopter to search the surrounding area.  The suspect was not located.

SCPD Detectives coordinated with San Mateo County Deputies and successfully recovered the victim’s car this morning (Friday January 8th).   Many kudos to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.  Very solid work and coordination by their Deputies. 

SCPD Detectives will process the car for evidence and return it to the victim. Detectives are also pouring over private video from the area in an attempt to locate a possible suspect and/or associates. 

The recovered stolen car is a 2015 Lexus RCF Coupe.  

Photo:  Courtesy Lexus.com

The suspect was described as a White Male Adult approx. 20-25 years.  The suspect had a bandanna covering his face.  He was wearing a baseball hat, black jacket and jeans.  The suspect may have been associated with another car seen in the area at the time of the carjacking.  That vehicle is described as a black 4 door sedan similar in appearance to a Toyota Prius. 

El Nino storm brings large waves to the shoreline.

El Niño-enhanced storms will continue to bring more beneficial rain along with hazards such as a high surf advisory and coastal flooding.

Lighthouse Point - Thursday January 7th

This morning, large swells were battering shorelines up and down Northern California. Wave heights of 13 to 17 feet have lead to a high-surf warning and a coastal-flood watch for much of the Bay Area coastline.

Even though El Nino is easing up, the ocean and shoreline can be dangerous. Every year, SCPD and Fire Rescue crews respond for individuals unexpectedly swept off the cliffs into the frigid ocean waters.  Oftentimes these have a tragic ending. 

West Cliff Drive - Thursday January 7th

Waves are powerful and can be unpredictable.  Even for people who are sightseeing and think they are safely up on a low cliff can be splashed and thoroughly soaked, or even swept off the cliff. Rocky areas are very slippery and even a small wave can cause you to loose your footing.  The signs and fences along West Cliff Drive are there for good reason.  Don't be the next victim. 

Never turn your back on the ocean.
Stay well back from where waves are breaking.
Supervise children all the time.

The huge swells prompted the National Weather Service - Santa Cruz officials to issue a high-surf warning and coastal-flood watch for much of the Bay Area coastline. 
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/santa-cruz-ca/95060/weather-warnings/327138

During El Nino storm season there is the possibility of strong and dangerous rip currents as well as minor coastal flooding. There is also the possibility of sneak waves, which are much larger waves that wash up the coastline without warning. 

Shooting Investigations & Firearms Arrest

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating two separate shootings over the weekend. In a separate case, SCPD Neighborhood Enforcement Team arrested a juvenile in possession of a loaded concealed firearm.

Incident #1
On January 1, 2016 around 8:27 p.m., SCPD Officers responded to the area of West Cliff Drive and Swift Street on a report of shots heard. Police interviewed a witness who reported seeing a flash and heard two shots coming from a dark colored Dodge Charger. There were no reported injuries.

Witnesses told Officers that the individuals in the Dodge Charger had followed the victim who was driving up Swift Street. A shooter from the Dodge Charger fired two shots at the occupants in the victim’s car. One bullet entered the trunk of the victim’s car.

The suspect vehicle was described as a black or dark blue Dodge Charger with tinted windows, and black rims. The shooter was described as an adult Hispanic male wearing a black beanie. The shooter was sitting in rear left passenger seat of the car. The driver was described as an adult Hispanic male with long dark hair. The front passenger is described as an adult Hispanic male wearing a black beanie.

SCPD Officers were able to recover a bullet from the victim’s car and a shell casing in the area of Swift Street and Sunset Street.

Incident #2
On Saturday, January 2, 2016 at approximately 11:34 p.m., Santa Cruz Police responded to several reports of shots fired into an apartment residence in the 300 block of La Fonda Avenue. Officers observed that one bullet had penetrated the rear fence, shattered the sliding glass door and lodged inside a living room sofa. No one inside the apartment was injured. SCPD Officers recovered approximately twelve bullet casings throughout the street. Witnesses reported seeing a dark color 4 door sedan drive away north on La Fonda Avenue.

The following day Officers responded to another home in the area to recover a bullet found by a child in the yard.

Both investigations are ongoing. Detectives are continuing to follow up leads and looking for video surveillance. The police department is asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact investigators 831- 420-5820

Incident #3
Juvenile Arrested in Possession of a Loaded & Concealed Firearm
On Sunday January 3, 2016 at 5:32 p.m., Santa Cruz Police Department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team Officers were patrolling with a focus toward the recent shootings. The Officers conducted a traffic stop on a BMW near the intersection of Wharf Road and Grace Street. The 17 year old driver is a known gang member. A search of the car revealed a loaded semi – automatic handgun. The juvenile was the sole occupant in the car. In addition to the loaded handgun, he also had drugs, drug paraphernalia and ammunition in his possession. The juvenile was arrested for various drug and drug sales charges, possession of a loaded, concealed firearm and participant in a criminal street gang.

New Year's Eve Stats

The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that 2016 was welcomed in without any major incidence of violence during the festivities downtown. The police department deployed additional officers throughout the city as well as a significant contingent of officers on foot in the Downtown corridor.

Crowds gathered at the Town Clock for a city sponsored Countdown Celebration. Like last year, temperatures dipped to approximately 38 degrees around midnight. The city sponsored event drew a crowd of approximately 3,500 compared to last year of approximately 4,000 revelers.

Officers kept busy throughout the city, and in the Downtown. Between 5:00 PM on December 31st and 5:00 AM on January 1st, Officers responded to 161 calls for service. This number is up from last year’s 159 calls during that same time.

Overall downtown Santa Cruz arrests and citations were up from 2015. The following is a breakdown of the arrest statistics for the night.

The New Year Eve and January 1st early morning deployment reported the following activity:
Arrests Total = 28
11 for Public Intoxication
Last year saw a total of 19 arrests on New Year’s Eve

53 Citations Issued
27 for Triple Fine Cites. The majority of the triple fines were for open containers of alcohol.
Non Triple Fines Cites = 26
Last year saw a total of 38 cites with 26 of those being Triple Fines cites.

One case of interest - SCPD Officer Injured During Arrest. 

Approximately, 2:00 a.m. on January 1, 2016, SCPD responded to a suspicious person in the 2200 block of Mission Street that was causing a disturbance inside a store.

Todd Shores, 46 years old from Soquel  

The suspect Todd Shores resisted arrest and fled. Todd Shores then physically fought with two officers. After injuring one officer, Shores then continued fighting with another officer. During that altercation Shore repeatedly tried to grab at the officer's utility belt. In order to subdue the suspect, the Officer had to deploy a Taser. Todd Shores was stunned one time. Todd Shores, 46, from Soquel was arrested for theft, trespassing and resisting arrest. An SCPD Officer will start the year out on medical leave.   Everyone at SCPD wishes this Officer a speedy recovery.