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

Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team Arrest Suspect in Residential Burglary

Burglary Suspect Jeremy Smith Arrested

On Saturday, November 25, 2017, at approximately 8:00 pm, Santa Cruz Police Officers from the Neighborhood Enforcement Team were conducting an area check of the shopping center in the 900 block of Soquel Avenue. Officers noticed a suspicious subject walking through the parking lot. One of the officers recognized the male subject from prior contacts as Jeremy Smith. Jeremy Smith, 41 years old from Santa Cruz is currently on Post Release Community Supervision, with search terms. SCPD conducted a compliance check, and Mr. Smith was found to be in possession of a large box of antique coins and stolen credit cards.

An investigation into the stolen credit cards revealed that the victim’s residence had been burglarized about a week and a half ago in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. Due to the detailed documentation by the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office investigation, members of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team were able to connect the stolen box of coins, multiple computers, jewelry, and other personal belongings to the burglary.

As a result of the investigation, the Neighborhood Enforcement Team was able to recover almost all the stolen items from the residential burglary. The suspect Jeremy Smith booked into the county jail on multiple felony charges, including possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of personal identification with the intent to defraud, and a probation violation.
Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood.

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team is a 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.

Quick-Thinking Duo Thwarts Home Burglary

Home burglary & invasion was prevented by quick acting residents. Well done!

On Saturday, June 20, at around 10:11pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to a report of “residential burglary in progress.” A resident in the 400 block of Broadway Street called the Santa Cruz Police Department Dispatch stating that an unknown male had been attempting entry into their home.

The suspect, later identified as Zachary Scott Torres, 22, transient, had been beating on the metal screen door of the residence. Torres attempted entry when told to leave by the male resident. The male resident thwarted Torres by using a wooden practice sword, forcing him outside and on to the ground. Torres then smashed a clay pot from the property and threw a shard through a window, injuring the male resident.

SCPD arrived on the scene as Torres was being chased from the property by the male resident. Suspect Torres ignored the officer’s orders to stop and began to run away. The SCPD officer followed on foot and was soon joined by six more officers and a canine unit.

Within minutes, Torres was apprehended and arrested. A witness on the scene positively identified Torres as the suspect fleeing from the SCPD officers.

Torres was booked and jailed for the multiple charges including: Resisting arrest, Assault with a deadly weapon, Threats, Burglary, Vandalism and Disorderly conduct. Case#15S-05288

We are thankful for the resident's quick thinking and that their injuries were not more serious. 

SCPD applauds the team of officers for responding quickly and apprehending the suspect almost immediately.

Observant Wife and Husband Duo Catch Suspect In The Act

Another burglary was prevented by alert Santa Cruz residents. Well done!

Phat Duong, 38 years old, from San Jose was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, and attempted vehicle theft.

Approximately 9:00 am on Wednesday, June 10th, a local homeowner noticed her previously closed and locked front door was now open. The homeowner looked outside the front of the house and saw Duong standing next to their vehicle with the owner’s keys in hand. The homeowner went outside and yelled at Duong then grabbed the car keys out of the suspect’s hand.

Hearing his wife’s call to action, the husband came outside to distract and detain the suspect. The quick-thinking wife called 911. Santa Cruz Police Officers Department responded quickly to the scene.

Mr. Duong was also caught holding a canvas bag. The bag and its contents belonged to the homeowner. Also in his possession were membership cards for the Monterey Bay Aquarium belonging to another family.

It appears the suspect entered the home from the backyard through an unlocked sliding door and left via the front door.

We are impressed with the husband wife duo for keeping their cool and for their decisive actions. Mr. Duong never had the opportunity to get away with their car.

Thank you Officer Kendall and Officer Cockrum for your quick response to the scene of the crime.

Mr. Duong was arrested and booked into jail for suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, and attempted vehicle theft.

Outstanding Patrol Work Catches Neighborhood Car Burglar

When Officer Jesse Pidcock came to us from Scotts Valley PD, we knew we were getting an Officer with solid policing skills.  Jesse showed off those skills early Monday morning catching a car burglar in a West side neighborhood. 

Officer Pidcock (Middle) Taking Oath of Office With Officers Gomez (Left) and Whaley (Right)

On September 8th at about 0120 hours (that’s “police talk” for early morning 1:20 AM), Officer Pidcock was patrolling through the 200 block of Sheldon.  He took note of a bicyclist riding past him at this early morning hour and continued to patrol through the neighborhood.

As he kept his eagle eye out, Officer Pidcock noticed a dome light on inside a car parked in a driveway.   Upon checking the car, he noticed the door was ajar and the glove box ransacked.  As he continued to check the neighborhood he found yet another car with the dome light on and door ajar. 

At this point he is focused on finding the bicyclist that passed him just a few minutes ago.  Officer Pidcock uses his best prowling/sleuthing skills and surprises the bicyclist at High Street and Highland Ave.  He stops the bicyclists and the investigation is underway.    

Our suspect is….you guessed it, on Probation for possession of stolen property.   A search of our suspect reveals a CPR bag, coins and binoculars.  Officer Pidcock sends Officer Nick Kramer back to contact the occupants of the homes where he found the dome lights on.  Guess what.....all of those items the suspect had were taken from a car on in the neighborhood. 

Our suspect, Mr. Eric Neff is arrested and the stolen property returned to the victim. 

Eric Neff - 46yrs, Transient

Mr. Neff has a long, long history of contacts and arrests by SCPD.  In 2014 alone we have arrested him 5 times and issued him 5 cites. 

Outstanding work by Officer Jesse Pidcock!!!  We are proud to have him on our team. 

Help Us Identify This Basketball Burglar

OK Sports Fans…Literally!

Take a break from trying to figure out what happened to your March Madness Bracket, and help us identify this burglar who broke into the Santa Cruz Warriors facility at the Kaiser Permanente Arena.  

He was kind enough to look at the camera and give us his own “highlight reel” video. 

Once inside, our burglar helped himself to Warriors practice apparel that is not for sale to the public.  In fact, he is wearing one of those jerseys in the photo. 

He took a rolling duffle bag with basketball shoes, T-shirts and shorts all belonging to the team.  He also took some cash and gift certificates while cruising around the concession area. 

Help us blow the whistle on this guy and let him know he has “fouled-out” of the game. 

If you recognize him or see some of the stolen property; give us a call, or drop an anonymous tip via our smartphone app, or Website. 

Help Us Catch A Car Burglar Working His Way Through Neighborhood

Help us catch this burglar

On Saturday night March 15^th and early morning March 16^th, this guy was captured via home video making his way through the neighborhood checking car doors around Sheldon Avenue (upper West area). 

We had a couple of burglaries reported in that area after our suspect when on his shopping spree.  It appears that he only took things from cars that were left unlocked

These photos are from the video system.  We are hoping someone recognizes this suspect or maybe has other video of his going through the neighborhood.   

If you do, please contact our Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820.  You can also submit an anonymous tip via our smartphone app for iPhone and Droid, or through our Website

www.santacruzpolice.com

Three important take-aways from this.

• Don’t leave valuables unsecured in your car, or out in plain view
• If you see someone suspicious – Call Us
• If you have video of this guy….Please contact our investigators

Let’s get this guy identified and let’s not make it easy for these crooks to manufacture victims in Santa Cruz. 

Alert Neighbor Prevents a Home Burglary

Once again, alert and proactive neighbors stave off a would-be burglar. We have told a story like this one before.  Way to go Santa Cruz!! 

Yesterday (October 23^rd) a neighbor saw this suspicious person enter the side yard of a home in the 1100 block of W. Cliff Drive. 

This is Timothy Dollar - 27 Years Old.  Mr. Dollar self-identifies as “Transient”. He doesn’t have much in the way of prior police contact.

Our alert neighbor took note and called 9-1-1. 

This neighbor provided dispatchers with a great description of the suspect.  Responding officers were quickly on scene and located him across from the victim’s home. 

The suspect, Mr. Dollar, was experiencing his own drug-induced asylum and was attempting to break into the home.  

Thankfully he did not have the opportunity to take anything from the home.   

Mr. Dollar was booked into jail for being under the influence of drugs and for unlawful entry. 

Many, many thanks to the alert citizen watching out for his neighborhood.