Santa Cruz Police Arrest Suspect In Child Annoyance Case

MEDIA RELEASE: On Thursday, October 4, 2018, an unidentified male adult suspect approached several high school-aged female victims on and around the campus of Santa Cruz High School and Downtown Santa Cruz. A total of 8 known victims, underage girls, as young as 14 years old have come forward describing similar child annoyance experience. The suspect would approach the girls unsolicited and then ask for their names, phone numbers and asked the girls out on dates.

Patrol Officers were able to positively identify the suspect as Kelsey Eisenman 23 years old from Santa Cruz. The teenage victims confirmed he was the man who followed and annoyed them. Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant for Kelsey Eisenman for eight counts of Child Annoying violation 647.6 of the Penal Code. The investigation also revealed that Mr. Eisenman has a prior arrest in 2016 for the same activity.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018, Officer Mulvihill was conducting extra checks and recognized the suspect as he was walking in the downtown area. Officer Mulvihill contacted the suspect, who initially provided a false name. Officer Mulvihill confirmed Mr. Eisenman's true identity and arrested him on the warrant. While in custody, suspect Mr. Eisenman made spontaneously and incriminating statements regarding his conduct with the victims.

The Santa Cruz Police Department commends the Santa Cruz High School personnel for taking proactive steps and immediately notifying police of his presence and behavior on campus.

This case underscores the importance of the working relationship and full cooperation between Santa Cruz City Schools and the Police. The SCPD School Resource Officer is on duty to ensure the safety of students and staff in our city schools.

Concerned parents and other victims, please call, the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5839 or email dwilliams@cityofsantacruz.com