UPDATE: Bank Robber Captured

Great job by Santa Cruz Police Investigators for arresting the bank robber from the heist at US Bank on 110 Morrissey Boulevard. Randall Young is in custody.

The Santa Cruz Police Department positively identified the suspect in the January 10, 2018 robbery at US Bank at 110 Morrissey Boulevard. The suspect, Randall Young, is a former resident of Santa Cruz County and has a recent address in Mountain View, California.
On April 4, 2018, Investigators for the Santa Cruz Police Department have obtained a $100,000.00 Warrant for Mr. Young charging him with Robbery, Kidnapping, and other charges surrounding his prior felony convictions. Mr. Young is currently in custody at the San Mateo County Jail on different charges. The extradition process to bring Mr. Young back to Santa Cruz County is being planned.

History:
On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, The Santa Cruz Police Department responded to US Bank at 110 Morrissey Blvd. after reports of a Bank Robbery.
Officers responded quickly. The suspect involved already fled the scene. During the investigation, SCPD determined through statements from 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 stealing an undisclosed amount of cash.

Press Release: Child Molester Arrested

On Friday June 17, 2016, Santa Cruz Police Detectives arrested suspect Timothy Ritchison for inappropriate lewd and lascivious acts with a child. The victim is a preschool age female. The suspect was known and trusted by the family. Santa Cruz Police Detectives worked tirelessly to investigate this case which led them to El Dorado CA and the arrest of Timothy Ritchison – 47 years old.

      Timothy Ritchison, 47 years old from El Dorado CA

The case came to light at approximately 7:45pm on Thursday 6/16/16 when Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of a car burglary. Officers learned that the reporting party was the victim’s mother. The mother had discovered video evidence of the suspect Timothy Ritchison molesting her child. The shocked and distraught mother confronted Mr. Ritchison with the video and then fled in her car to an acquaintances home to call the police. While the mother and child were in the home, the suspect Timothy Ritchison shattered the passenger side window and stole the video evidence from the car. He then drove away from the scene in his white 2006 Buick sedan.

The location of the incident and age of the victims are not being disclosed to protect their identities.

The successful and efficient investigation included a collaborative effort with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department. Santa Cruz Police Detectives worked throughout the night investigating the perpetrator and his whereabouts. A search warrant was served at Mr. Ritchison’s residence and car. The suspect Timothy Ritchison was in custody by 7:15 am on 6/17/16.

In the following interviews with detectives, Mr. Ritchison confessed to the molestation. He gave multiple corroborating statements consistent with the victim’s allegations.

Timothy Ritchison was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Jail and extradited to the Santa Cruz County Jail on a $250,000 bail. Mr. Ritchison was arrested for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor.

Detectives are continuing to sort through evidence to determine if there are additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.

Help Us Identify a Vehicle & Driver in Fatal Hit & Run

Background:
On June 10, 2015 around 12:45 a.m. Santa Cruz Police Department responded to a fatal hit and run collision between a vehicle and pedestrian. This collision occurred in the area of Hwy 1 at River St. The pedestrian victim, Dene Shaw, age 59 was pronounced dead at the scene.

2nd Update:
The silver colored vehicle pictured is similar to a Toyota Prius. Based on glass evidence recovered from the scene, this vehicle would likely have a broken front windshield and broken windshield wiper. It is likely this vehicle would have also sustained front-end damage.

As seen in the image taken from a security camera in the area at the time of the accident, the vehicle would have been traveling north on Hwy 1 at River Street between 12:30 and 1:00 am.

Investigators are still asking the community to help identify this vehicle of interest. Photo on the following page and attached.

Santa Cruz Police Investigators are asking the community to be on the lookout for a vehicle matching the description in your neighborhoods, workplaces and parking lots. If you have noticed anything unusual about a similar vehicle and/or a suspect driver, please report it.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information relative to the vehicle pictured is asked to contact the Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.

Anonymous tips can also be sent to the police department through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995, or from our Website; www.santacruzpolice.com. Tipsters can also submit an anonymous tip via our smartphone app or from an SMS text. Visit our Website for instructions.

Arrest Made in Homicide of 12 Year Old from 2012

The Santa Cruz Police Department announces the arrest of 5 suspects in the homicide of 12 year old Joseph Mendoza.  The homicide occurred on August 8, 2012, at the intersection of San Lorenzo Blvd and Bixby Street.  Joseph was standing on the sidewalk when he was confronted by a group of suspects in a car.  During the confrontation, the suspects fired several shots from a handgun, killing Joseph. 

Santa Cruz Police Department Detectives have been relentless in developing leads and continuing follow up.  Detectives have been working closely with the District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Probation to assemble the necessary leads to solve this case.  The investigation revealed the motivation for this homicide as tensions between rival gangs. 

The investigation culminated in the simultaneous arrest of all five suspects early this morning (October 12, 2013).   Detectives also served search warrants at the residences of the suspects.  Four of the suspects are juveniles and one is an adult.  The adult is:

Andrew Carrera 19 years – Watsonville Resident

The juveniles are:

2 juveniles, both age 15, both were taken into custody from group homes in Exeter, CA and Placerville, CA. 

2 Juveniles both 17 years of age – currently in custody at Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall

Because they are minors, we are precluded from identifying them at this time.  

 

All of the suspects are Norteno street gang members.  Four of the suspects were on juvenile probation at the time of this homicide.   The suspects were Watsonville area residents at the time of the homicide. 

We anticipate the arrest of a 6^th suspect sometime in the next week.  The outstanding suspect is currently in custody on unrelated charges. 

The suspects were charged with (1) Homicide, (2) Criminal Street Gang Enhancement, (3) Discharge a Firearm From a Vehicle, (4) Firearms Enhancement

The family of Joseph has been notified of the arrests and the status of the case. 

Great Work by Our Detectives - Elder Abuse and Drug House Shut Down

On Thursday June 13, 2013, Santa Cruz Police Detectives served a search warrant at a home in the 400 block of La Fonda Avenue.

The search warrant was issued as Detectives were investigating tips of illegal drug sales, elder abuse and a possible chop shop for bicycles at the home.

Detectives found the owner of the residence, a 59 year old dependent adult, lying in his own urine and feces. The 59 year old owner of the property is wheelchair bound.  Due to his health and the deplorable condition of the house, he was hospitalized for observation and care.

It was determined the individuals staying at the residence were taking advantage of the homeowner.  Numerous people were coming and going from the house and using the home as a base to conduct criminal activity. Additionally, the individuals failed to provide the most basic of care for the dependent homeowner.

In the course of the search warrant, Detectives found over 30 intact bicycles and over 50 dismantled bicycles on the property. Other property was seized and being processed to determine ownership status.

Seven individuals were contacted and arrested for numerous charges including sales of heroin and methamphetamine, illegal drug possession, drug paraphernalia and elder abuse.

Detectives worked closely with the city Planning Department and Code Compliance.  The house was red-tagged with over a dozen violations making the home inhabitable.  

Here are the arrestees:

Shana DiMartino – 37 yrs Santa Cruz Resident 

Arrested for (1) Possession of Heroin-11350H&S, (2) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia -  11364.1 H&S, (3) Probation Violation-1203.2PC, (4) Elder Abuse-368PC, (5) Maintain Drug House- 11366 H&S, (6) Failure to Report Elder Abuse-15630(h) W&I and  (6) Violating a Court Order-166PC.

Susan Husted – 49 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident

Arrested for (1) Elder Abuse-368PC, (2) Failure to Report Elder Abuse-15630(h) W&I, (3) Probation Violation-1203.2PC, (4) Maintain Drug House- 11366 H&S and (5) 166PC- violating a court order.

John Dowden – 52 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident 

Arrested for (1) Possession of Methamphetamine-11377 H&S, (2) Elder Abuse- 368PC, (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia-11364.1 H&S, (4) Failure to Report Elder Abuse-15630(h) W&I, and (5) Probation Violation-1203.2PC.

Adelma Dowden – 48 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident 

 Arrested for misdemeanor warrant-485PC, elder abuse- 368PC, possession of stolen property- 496PC, trespassing- 602PC, failure to report elder abuse-15630(h) W&I, maintain drug house- 11366 H&S,  and probation violation-1203.2PC

Aaron Hamrick – 37 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident

Arrested for (1) Possession of Narcotics for Sale- 11351H&S,  (2) Transporting Narcotics-11352H&S, (3) Selling Within 1000 feet of a School- 11353.6 H&S, (4) Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale-11378H&S, (5) Transporting a Controlled Substance-11379H&S, (6) Felon in Possession of a Stun Gun-22610(A)PC, (7) Failure to Report Elder Abuse-15630(h) W&I, (8) Elder Abuse- 368PC and (9) Maintain Drug House- 11366 H&S

Perry Brown – 42 yrs, santa Cruz Resident 

Arrested for outstanding warrants

Jodi Widman – 30 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident 

Arrested for (1) Possession of Methamphetamine 11377H&S, (2) Possession of Heroin 11350 H&S, and (3) 148PC – Resisting Arrest/Delaying an Officer.

Thanks to our tipsters and the hard work of our Detectives for shutting down this neighborhood nuisance, and for getting the victim the care he needs.  Keep those tips coming and we'll keep working the cases.