Great Police Work All Day & Night - SCPD Case Highlights

#K9CashWatchingYou

On Tuesday January 30 January 30th at approximately 11:05pm SCPD Officers responded to a burglary in progress at The Computer Zone on the 300 block of Laurel Street. SCPD K9 Team Ofc. Hansen and Cash tracked and ultimately located suspect Troy Witzke hiding in the bushes. All the stolen laptops were recovered in addition to items stolen from a neighboring residence.

Twice in a week’s time that Troy Witzke, 29 from Santa Cruz, was arrested for commercial burglary.

Great police work all the way around from the tracking, collection of evidence, gathering the witness statements and locating the suspect.

Suspect Arrest in Drive-By Shooting on January 20, 2018 SCPD Investigation Update

On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, Santa Cruz Police Investigation Section arrested Jovanni Fernandez of Watsonville, Ca and conducted a search warrant of his residence and vehicle in the city of Watsonville. Jovanni Fernandez was identified as being involved in a shooting that occurred in the city of Santa Cruz on January 20, 2018, near the intersection of Soquel and Branciforte Ave.

Jovanni Fernandez, 18 years old from Watsonville

Jovanni Fernandez, 18 years old from Watsonville, was booked into county jail for multiple counts of attempted murder, along with a gang and firearm enhancement.

The Santa Cruz Police began its initial investigation on January 20, 2018, when patrol officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Soquel Ave and Branciforte Ave. Patrol Officers located the vehicle in the area, with three occupants. The vehicle was struck twice by gunfire. None of the occupants were injured. Witnesses in the area reported seeing a white VW Jetta with multiple occupants fleeing the area on Soquel Ave.

The investigation of the shooting is ongoing, with the assistance of the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.
SCPD Media Release https://goo.gl/uEPa8i

SCPD Working 24-7 Arrest Suspect Burglar at 4:20 am

While You Slept, SCPD Graveyard Shift Responded To 55 calls for service, generated 5 cases, and made 4 arrests. Here’s a case highlight.

At 4:20 this morning, SCPD responded to alarm in the 200 block of River Street, Down Works. SCPD Officers located Troy Witzke with loot stolen from the business.

Troy Witzke, 29 years old, from Santa Cruz 

Our partners at First Alarm provided excellent assistance.A First Alarm guard witnessed the man inside the business, throwing items out of the building window.

Mr. Witzke, 29 years old, from Santa Cruz was arrested for commercial burglary and booked into jail. The stolen property recovered totaled $5,929.00 from store inventory.

#SantaCruzPolice #Working247 #TeamWork

March With SCPD and Community - Monday January 15th MLK March Starts at 10:00am

2018 MLK March and Event Schedule
9:00am Groups meet up. Individual marchers welcome!
@ Cathcart between Cedar Street and Pacific Avenue.

10:00 am Official March start time.
March Route: The route starts on Cathcart Street and Pacific Avenue and ends on Cooper Street. After the march, we will convene with speeches and family-friendly activities on Cooper Street in partnership with the Museum of Art and History

11:00 am Cooper Street Gathering for speech program.
Community Philanthropist Martina O’Sullivan
City of Santa Cruz Mayor David Terrazas
NAACP President Brenda Griffin
SC Co. Supervisor Zach Friend
UCSC Professor David Anthony
Youth Representatives  Carmen Azmitia & Justa Ferguson - Santa Cruz HS BSU
SC Co. School Supervisor Michael Watkins
CEO, United Way of Santa Cruz Keisha Frost
Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos Nane Alejandrez
Santa Cruz Warrior Coach Aaron Miles
Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills
Gospel Soloist Tammi Brown

11:40 Speech Program Concludes

10:00 am - 12:30pm Activities at the MAH & Non-profit tables on Cooper Street.

MLK March for the Dream is happening Rain or Shine.

Downtown metered parking is free on Martin Luther King’s Birthday!

2018 March For The Dream staging order and general MLK March info 

http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/…/city…/police/mlk-march-2018 .

Staging Map

Individuals and groups can still join us the day of the March! Traffic monitors will incorporate you and your friends in between these preset groups.

Thank you to all who are contributing in the MLK March success. Honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. means bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to build authentic bonds of human understanding and value. That is exactly why Santa Cruz Police initiated this collaboration with the NAACP.

Media Releases: Armed Robbery-Bank 1/10/18 AND Vandalism / Vehicle Pursuit/ Arrest 1/11/18

Armed Robbery-Bank Case# 18S-00274

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating a bank robbery that occurred on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 4:45pm. The robbery occurred at the US Bank at 110 Morrissey Blvd.

Officers responded to the bank, however the subject involved had already fled the scene. During the investigation it was determined through statements of the victims, witnesses, and security footage the suspect displayed a firearm and demanded money from the bank tellers. During the robbery the suspect ordered the bank staff to open the drawers, and was successful in taking an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect was last seen running out of the bank into the parking lot. During the investigation the police department received follow -up information leading them to the area of High St. Officers searched the area, and were unsuccessful in locating any further information.

The suspect is described as an unknown race male, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, donning sunglasses, mask, and gloves.
Currently the Santa Cruz Police Department is actively investigating the bank robbery.

If anyone has any information regarding this case please call the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit @ (831) 420-5820.

Vandalism / Vehicle Pursuit Case #18S-00280/00281
Police Pursuit Ends with Subject in Custody

On January 11, 2018 at approximately 12:05 hours, the Santa Cruz Police Department responded to a business located within 2200 block of Mission Street for a reported vandalism.

The suspect also subsequently threw a metal chair through a glass door prior to leaving the location. It is notable that as a citizen chased the suspect, the suspect advised he was in possession of a firearm (no firearm seen).

The suspect returned and was identified as Michael Richards. A vehicle pursuit ensued. Richards intentionally rammed the marked K-9 Police Car and drove through San Lorenzo Park, eventually evading Police.

At about 7:30am, Officers again responded to a disturbance involving Richards who fled into the waist deep San Lorenzo River.

Eventually Richards was taken into custody and obtained medical clearance prior to being booked into jail on the following charges: felony evading, felony assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.

The Police Department is actively investigating the above listed vandalism incident, and additional criminal charges related to Richards may follow.

Santa Cruz MLK March for the Dream - January 15, 2018 Join Us!

Chief Mills invites everyone to share in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspirational message of peace, justice and community and March For The Dream on Monday, January 15, 2018.

Together, the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch and the Santa Cruz Police Department will co-sponsor the first joint Santa Cruz MLK Day March. It is going to be an extraordinary event.

We invite individuals, community groups, clubs, and congregations to Walk With Us in the march in honor of Dr. King.

The route starts on Cathcart Street and Pacific Avenue and ends on Cooper Street. After the march, we will convene with speeches and family-friendly activities on Cooper Street in partnership with the Museum of Art and History (MAH).

MLK March Schedule - Join Us!
9:00 am - 10:00 am Marcher Lineup
@ Cathcart between Cedar Street and Pacific Avenue.
Groups check-in & meet up. Individual marchers welcome.
10:00 am Official March start time.
The procession will begin at 10:00 a.m.
11:00 Cooper Street Gathering for speech program.
Activities at the MAH and on Cooper Street from 10:00 am continue until 12:30 p.m.

Groups who are planning to participate are asked to sign up on the City of Santa Cruz website: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/community/mlk-march-2018.

Honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. means bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to build authentic bonds of human understanding and value. The MLK Day March is an opportunity for the businesses, social and community groups that make Santa Cruz strong to come out and be recognized while supporting a common cause. Please join us.

MLK 2018 March Press Details

If you have additional questions, please email jblaschke@cityofsantacruz.com

Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Fatal Collision SANTA CRUZ POLICE Media Release 18S-00151

On Friday, January 5, 2018, at around 10:28 p.m., the Santa Cruz Police Department responded to Highway 1 and River Street for a major injury traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a car.

Officers found the pedestrian lying in the roadway on Highway 1 and River Street. The involved vehicle a 2011 silver Mercedes sedan remained on scene. AMR transported the pedestrian with significant injuries, a 29-year-old man from Santa Cruz, to the local trauma center. The pedestrian suffered critical injuries was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian was in the crosswalk, walking against a red light. The driver was traveling northbound Highway 1 approaching the intersection of River Street. Investigators are still examining evidence and gathering information. 

The release of the pedestrian’s name is pending notification of his family.

The driver of the Mercedes is a 57-year-old man from San Jose. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. The driver was not arrested or cited, as the investigation is still ongoing. The exact details of the collision has not yet been determined.

Northbound Highway 1 @ River Street closed as a result of the collision investigation. The roadway re-opened at approximately 2:35 a.m. on 1/6/18.

The Santa Cruz Police Department asks that anyone with information or who witnessed this collision to contact investigators at 831- 420-5820.

Santa Cruz Police Seize 6 Guns From Convicted Felon

On Tuesday, January 2, 2017, at about 9:15 PM, Santa Cruz Police responded to a call regarding a subject with a rifle standing near a truck on Western Drive and numerous calls of shots fired. The subject fled the area in the vehicle. During a search of the scene, SCPD Officers located two empty 12 gauge shotgun shells on the road.

As the SCPD patrol team canvassed the area and interviewed witnesses, dispatch reported a call of a man wielding an ax in the 200 block of McPherson Street. Officers immediately responded and located a truck matching the description provided in the Western Drive incident. The vehicle was empty, but several firearms were in plain view, including a 12 gauge shotgun.

Nearby witnesses identified Michael Tracy as the person who walked away from the parked truck. Michael Tracy, 52 years old, from Boony Doon, then attempted to flee out to Mission Street. Officers quickly took him into custody.

Michael Tracy’s background investigation revealed he is a convicted felon and is out of jail on his recognizance from a previous gun case.

Santa Cruz Police arrested Michael Tracy for six counts of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a large capacity magazine, negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood. SCPD is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

New Year’s Eve Statistics 2017/18

The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that 2018 was welcomed in without any major incidents of violence during the festivities downtown. SCPD 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. The temperature dipped to approximately 50 degrees around midnight. The event drew a crowd of approximately 3,000 revelers.

Officers kept busy throughout the city and in the Downtown corridor ensuring a safe New Year’s Eve celebration for all. Between 5:00 PM on December 31st and 2:00 AM on January 1st, Officers responded to 139 calls for service.

The New Year Eve and January 1st early morning deployment reported the following activity:

Total Arrests: 9 arrests total, mostly consisting of public intoxication.
Last year: 12 arrests

Total 27 Citations Issued; 17 for Triple Fine Cites.
The majority of these triple fines were for open containers of alcohol.
Last year saw a total of 19 cites with 11 of those being Triple Fines cites.

Overall, downtown Santa Cruz arrests were down and citations were up from 2017.

New Year’s Eve 2017/2018 turned out to be a peaceful and enjoyable event for the city.

#SantaCruzPolice #GRATITUDE: To everybody who helps SCPD support the community we say: Thank you and looking forward to working together to make our city even safer in 2018.
#HappyNewYear2018 #WeAreInThisTogether @CityofSantaCruz #GoForIt