Great Police Work Armed Robber Pursuit & Arrest

On  Friday August 3, 2018 around 12:20 pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to an armed robbery that occurred at West Cliff Drive and Swift Street. The suspect robber approached the victims while they were sitting in their vehicle. The suspect held a knife against one of the victims arms and said, “That’s my stuff, give it to me.” For fear that they would get stabbed, the victims gave the suspect their iPhones and clothing. The suspect drove off in a dark blue Toyota 4-Runner with a black dog inside the vehicle.

Within minutes, SCPD Officer Howard-Gibbon located a vehicle matching the description of the robbery suspect’s vehicle near Mission/Laurel Street. Officer Howard-Gibbon initiated a car stop near 1100 block of Laurel Street. The driver, Matthew Stevens, briefly stepped out of the vehicle and verbally engaged Officer Howard-Gibbon then sped away in his vehicle, and a pursuit was initiated.

Officer Howard-Gibbon dedicated pursuit of the suspect ended at the 4100 block of La Madrona Drive when the suspect collided his 4-Runner into a large boulder and a wooden post. Mr. Stevens then fled on foot.

Sergeant Cecena initiated a perimeter around the area. With the assistance of CHP patrol units and AIR support, SVPD, SCSO, and SCPD, Matthew Stevens was arrested in the rear parking lot of the Scotts Valley Hilton.

Matthew Stevens, 44 years old from Santa Cruz, is on probation and has a history with law enforcement. Yesterday’s charges for Mr. Stevens include armed robbery, violation of probation and felony reckless evading.

Outstanding teamwork captured this suspect in quick order.

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

Update- Image Available of Getaway Vehicle Involved In Armed US Bank Robbery on 3/3/17

The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect and getaway vehicle in the armed US Bank robbery on March 3, 2017.

On Friday, March 3, 2017, at approximately 1:05 p.m., Santa Cruz Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the US Bank on Morrissey Boulevard. A masked suspect entered the bank and threatened the employees at gunpoint. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money out of the cash drawers and fled. Nobody inside the bank was injured.

The suspect was last seen in an older 1993 – 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by an unknown accomplice.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: The vehicle is described as a light tan or champagne color with a charcoal bottom. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has roof racks, possible side steps, rear windows tinted.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Suspect described as a male, late 20's, 5'08" to 5'10", medium build, wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, a brown beanie with a black stripe, black sunglasses, blue or black pants, dirty white shoes, wearing gloves. No tattoos or scars seen.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or vehicle is encouraged to contact the SCPD at (831) 420-5820, Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or send us a tip online http://cityofsantacruz.com/…/pol…/how-do-i/leave-a-crime-tip

SCPD Arrest 3 for Armed Robbery & Stolen Car Recovered Victims Lured by “Exotic Dancer” Ad on Craiglist

On Monday, January 16, 2017 at approximately 7:49 am, Santa Cruz Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a motel in the 600 block of Riverside Ave. Two gentlemen callers had answered a craigslist advertisement seeking a “exotic dance” from a professional dancer in a motel room. The male victims arrived at the motel room and provided money to the woman who they assumed was the dancer.

The woman stated she was going to get the rest of her friends who were also going to dance for them. After she walked out, three black male suspects entered the motel room. The male victims realized that these men were not the dancers they had intended on hiring and became concerned.

When the victim’s asked for their money back, one of the suspects pointed a handgun at them. The suspects told the victims they were keeping their money. Both victims left the room fearing for their safety.

SCPD patrol quickly set up a perimeter around the block and searched the motel rooms. The perimeter search took about two hours to diligently cover the area. Ultimately, SCPD Officers located two of the male suspects on the property and the female suspect inside a room. One male suspect and the gun are still outstanding. 

Denzel Freeman, 20 years old from Modesto

Denzel Freeman, 20 years old from Modesto, was arrested for armed robbery, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Timothy Towsel, 18 years old from Ceres CA 

Timothy Towsel, 18 years old from Ceres CA, was arrested for armed robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime. 

Maria Elena Torres, 20 years old from San Jose

Maria Elena Torres, 20 years old from San Jose was arrested for armed robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime.

SCPD Officers also recovered an unoccupied stolen car in the motel parking lot that had been carjacked out of Sacramento. SCPD Officers were able to tie the suspect Denzel Freeman to the stolen car. Mr. Freeman was in possession of the stolen car keys when he was arrested.

SCPD Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of Craigslist Robbery

• Do not meet in a secluded area.
• Do not travel to a location with a large amount of cash
• If someone or something looks suspicious, leave.
• If you are threatened, give the subjects the property they are asking for.

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

Armed Robbers Arrested In Under an Hour! Great Teamwork SCPD & CHP

On early Friday morning 06/24/16 at about 12:32 am, SCPD Officers responded to the 100 block of Trinity Street for a reported armed robbery at knifepoint. The suspects were described as a white male and a Hispanic male in an older white Honda that drove away on Leibrandt Ave after stealing the victim's wallet. With the vehicle description, Santa Cruz Police initiated “Project R.O.P.E.” (Project R.O.P.E. is a multi-agency cooperative where likely travel and escape routes are monitored by law enforcement in Santa Cruz County). A short time later, SCPD and CHP stopped the suspects on Water Street.

George Karagianoupulos, 34 years old from Santa Cruz

The two suspects Aaron Abeyta, 36 years old and George Karagianoupulos, 34 years old were arrested for committing an armed robbery with a knife and attempting to “slash” one of the victims as they made off with his wallet, ID, social security card and cash.

Aaron Abeyta, 36 years old from Santa Cruz

The victims, two Hispanic males age 22 and 21 years old were walking home when they noticed an older white Honda speeding towards them.

The car stopped and the driver, George Karagianoupulos called out asking what gang affiliation they claimed. The pair replied that they were not gang members.

Aaron Abeyta and George Karagianoupulos got out of the car.  Karagianoupulos confronted the victims with a knife and demanded they empty their pockets.  The victims handed over their belongings including a wallet. While in the process of surrendering their belongings, Karagianoupulos punched the other victim in the face. The suspects then got back into the car and sped away down Leibrandt towards Riverside Ave.

Great police teamwork all the way around caught the suspects Aaron Abeyta and George Karagianoupulos before they could get away. Both suspects were positively identified and arrested. The stolen property and knife were recovered in the white 1997 Honda Accord belonging to Karagianoupulos.

SCPD returned the stolen money back to the victim, along with his wallet, ID and credit cards. 

Help Us Identify this Armed Robbery Suspect

On May 11, 2015, at approximately 10:15 AM, Santa Cruz Police responded to a report of a robbery at Subway restaurant in the 1700 block of Soquel Ave. 

The suspect entered the restaurant armed with a handgun.  The suspect confronted a store employee and demanded cash.  At gunpoint, the cash was turned over to the suspect and he fled out of the store.

The suspect is described as African American male approximately 6’ to 6’2” tall with a thin build. He is between 50 to 60 years of age. At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a dark blue jacket and carrying a red shoulder bag.

 

No one was injured in the robbery. 

The robbery was captured on video from the store. Attached are images of the suspect during the robbery.  In one of the photos, the gun could clearly be seen.  Detectives canvassed the businesses in the area for any other video of the suspect. 

The subject involved in this robbery matches the description of similar robberies recently reported in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

SCPD is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to collaborate on cases and identify the suspect.