Help Us Identify Suspect and Getaway Van Involved in Stabbing Case 18S-04619.

Be On The Lookout Getaway Van Involved in Stabbing

SCPD Detective Williams is attempting to locate suspects who got away in this van that was involved in a stabbing that occurred on 8/05/2018 around 5:59 am. A male victim got into an altercation with an unknown woman over a conflict involving his dog. The female suspect then stabbed the victim in the parking lot of 2111 Mission St on the west side of Santa Cruz and fled the scene on foot.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic woman between early to mid-20 years of age, 5’7” tall with a medium build, with a brown short “pixie” style haircut. The female suspect was seen in association with the unknown male driver of the van in the depicted van. The van was described as maroon and brown in color by the victim. 

The victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his face and was released from the hospital a few hours after the incident.

The Santa Cruz Police is actively investigating this case 18S-04619. Anyone with information regarding the suspects and getaway van is encouraged to contact Detective Williams at 420-5839 or dwilliams@cityofsantacruz.com If you have information, but wish to remain anonymous, tips can be sent through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or www.santacruzpolice.com. 

Help us Identify This Stabbing Suspect

The Santa Cruz Police Department is trying to identify the suspect and his female companion shown in the video below.  

The suspect is wearing the white shirt and black pants.  He is described as a Hispanic Male Adult, 23 - 29 years old, approx 5 feet 10 inches.  His hair is described as black and worn in a long mullet style.  

The female companion is seen walking across the frame ahead of the suspect.  She is wearing the blue cap, blue shirt and blue pants.  She is carrying something in her hands. 

• The suspect follows his female companion, walking northbound on Riverside Avenue. 
• The suspect appears to be having a verbal exchange with someone behind him.  
• The suspect walks across the screen and out of view.  
• The victim appears on screen following the suspect.  
• The suspect reappears at time counter 20:44:57 and stabs the victim in what looks like a punch to the stomach.   

The victim was eventually transported to the hospital by his companions.  He is recovering at a Bay Area trauma center.  Initially, they reported the stabbing occurred in the County.  Officers were able to track down the actual location and eventually obtained this video.  

WARNING - Violent Content

Although not graphic, the video does show the victim being stabbed in what looks like a punch.  

If you recognize the suspect or his companion please call SCPD Investigations at (831) 420-5820. Refer to Case #16S-02950. 

Arrests Made in Recent Gang Violence

The Santa Cruz Police Department has responded to an increase of gang activity and gang-related crime over the last several days. SCPD employs a constant strategy to proactively address gang involvement and suppress gang violence.  Some of these strategies include working with at-risk kids through our P.R.I.D.E. and BASTA programs.  Suppression strategies include extra patrols in known gang areas; contacting, identifying, and documenting potential gang members; and conducting probationary compliance checks.

2/28/16 Shooting Investigation - Case 16S-01777
On Sunday 2/28/16 at about 11:35 p.m., Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to the area of the 500 block of Center Street for a report of gunshots in the area. Santa Cruz Police Officers were patrolling the area due to prior reports of several fights as a concert was letting out on Pacific Avenue.

Officers quickly identified that the gunfire came from Center and Elm Streets. Several witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing two cars speed away in opposite directions. Witnesses described a gold colored Acura traveling northbound on Cedar Street. The other car was described as a dark color sedan speeding away southbound on Cedar Street. When Officers arrived at the scene they located several shell casings.

Officers spotted the Acura driving away from the scene. Officers noted the car had several bullet holes along the driver’s side. The Acura was stopped in the 700 block of Chestnut Street in a high-risk car stop.

The occupants were contacted and the car eventually searched. During the search, Officers located a loaded .45 caliber handgun in the purse belonging to a passenger. This weapon did not match smaller caliber shell casings found at the scene.

The driver was identified as a 20 year old male from Salinas. The passenger in the front seat was a 27 year old female from Salinas. There was an additional passenger in the back identified as 30 years old male from Salinas. SCPD will not release the names of these individuals as they are victims of the attempt homicide. The involved parties claimed not to know why they were shot at.

The driver and female passenger were arrested/ cited for possession of a loaded and concealed firearm.

Currently, there is no suspect information on the shooting. Detectives are continuing to follow up leads and looking for video surveillance. The police department is asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact investigators 831- 420-5820.

2/29/16 Suspect Arrested in Stabbing Investigation - Case 16S-01719

Adolfo Pantoja has been identified and arrested as the suspect in the stabbing investigation from 2/26/16. He is 18 years old and a Watsonville resident. SCPD Detectives identified Adolfo Pantoja as the suspect, securing an arrest warrant and issuing a “Be on the Lookout” to law enforcement agencies. Pantoja was spotted near his home on Ford Street by Watsonville Police. He was taken into custody and turned over to SCPD. SCPD Detectives served a search warrant on the suspect's home looking for evidence from the stabbing.

Adolfo Pantoja is arrested for the following charges: (1) Attempted Murder and (2) Participating in a Criminal Street Gang.

Stabbing Investigation Background:
On Friday 2/26/16 at 11:45 p.m., Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to the 7-11 on Ocean Street on a report of a victim with multiple stab wounds. The victim, a male, age 19 from Watsonville claimed to have been stabbed in the area of Pacific Ave and Center Street. The victim waved down a Good Samaritan who began to drive the victim to the hospital. While enroute, the victim’s injuries worsened and his condition declined. The Good Samaritan driver called 911 and stopped at the nearest parking lot so that the victim could be treated by EMS staff.

The victim sustained multiple knife wounds to his face and torso. He was transported to a Bay Area trauma center where he is still undergoing treatment.

2/27/16 Shooting Investigation Case 16S-01721
On Saturday 2/27/16, approximately 12:08 a.m., the Santa Cruz Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Cedar Street and Cathcart Street. Upon arrival SCPD Officers located a victim of gunshot wounds on the sidewalk near the intersection. The victim is a male, age 27, from Watsonville. He sustained gunshot wounds to his hand and lower back and transported to a Bay Area trauma center. The victim is recovering from surgery and is in stable condition. No one else was injured during the attack. The suspects are still at large.

Based on preliminary statements from the victim and witnesses, the information suggests the shooting is gang related. In the course the attack, a suspect chased after the victim and fired multiple times.

SCPD Officers and Investigators closed a majority of the area for an in-depth search for evidence. Multiple casings and bullet fragments were found in the parking lot downtown. One downtown building was struck multiple times. One of the rounds shattered a window. SCPD Officers also canvassed the businesses and neighborhoods contacting potential witnesses.

Both suspects fled the area. The suspects and the firearm are all still outstanding.

Santa Cruz Police Detectives are continuing to examine evidence, interview witnesses and collect video surveillance. Anyone with information relative to the suspect’s identity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820.

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety. We are committed to reducing gang crimes and violence in the City of Santa Cruz. Anyone with information regarding suspicious or criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Officer Recovering After Being Stabbed Last Night

Oftentimes our Officers are placed in impossible situations and are called upon to somehow bring order and safety in chaos.  This is one such situation.  These officers risked their safety and sustained injury trying to do just that.  We are pleased the situation was resolved without further injury to anyone.  

An 8 year veteran of the Santa Cruz Police Department is recovering from a stab wound inflicted by a suicidal person he was attempting to apprehend. 

On September 1, 2014, at approximately 6:00 PM, Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of a suicidal person.  Family members called the police reporting the suspect was suicidal and had cut his wrists.  The suspect had fled from family members and was at-large. 

The officer and his partner (a 14 year veteran) located and contacted the suspect:

Michael Paquette – 27 years, Santa Cruz resident

Mr. Paquette was found hiding in bushes behind a store in the 1700 block of Soquel Ave.  The officers could see Mr. Paquette was bleeding from the wrists and not responding to their commands. 

The officers approached and attempted to take the Mr. Paquette into custody for medical treatment and psychiatric evaluation.  As the officers grabbed on to Mr. Paquette, he lashed out with a folding pocket knife.   

Mr. Paquette stabbed one officer in the leg just below the knee, and attempted to stab the second officer in the face. The second officer narrowly escaped being stabbed, as she deflected the attack. 

As Mr. Paquette attacked the second officer, the injured officer drew and fired his Taser.  The Taser darts struck Mr. Paquette and caused him to fall to the ground and drop the knife.  The officers were able to handcuff Mr. Paquette without further resistance.  

Mr. Paquette was taken to Dominican Hospital for medical treatment of his self-inflicted wounds and then booked at Santa Cruz County Jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon Against a Police Officer. 

The injured officer was treated and released at Dominican Hospital.  He is home recovering from the stab wound.  

Suspect Arrested in Gang Motivated Stabbing

Santa Cruz Police Department Detectives made an arrest in a gang-related stabbing that occurred on August 17^th at approximately 10:55 PM.  The stabbing took place at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Sycamore St.  

Our patrol officers were first notified of this stabbing when the victim arrived at the Dominican Hospital Emergency Room.  The victim is a 23 year old Santa Cruz resident.  He walked into the Emergency room under his own power and reported the stabbing to hospital staff.  The wound was substantial and life threatening.  The victim was immediately taken into surgery and is recovering.    

With limited information, our officers were able to locate the crime scene.  Detectives were called in to assist in the investigation and have been working on the case since. 

Investigators followed up on leads and were able to identify the suspect as:

Anselmo Castillo – 23 years, Watsonville resident

Mr. Castillo is also a Watsonville "Norteno" gang member. 

Detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Mr. Castillo charging him with Assault with a Deadly Weapon and a Criminal Street Gang Enhancement. 

Detectives stayed hot on the trail.  On August 20^th at approximately 4:30 PM they tracked Mr. Castillo to a home on Linden Rd in Watsonville.  Mr. Castillo surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.   

Fantastic work by the initial responding patrol team, and great follow up by the Investigation team to identify and track down our suspect. 

Stabbing Suspect Captured in his Campsite

Officers have been in search of 62 year old William Jones since he was identified as the suspect in a stabbing in the 100 block of Coral Street, earlier this week.  

Today, a team of officers headed to the remote areas of Pogonip Park and located Mr. Jones hiding out in an illegal campsite.  He attempted to escape and was found hiding behind a downed tree.  Officers took him into custody and booked him in jail for the stabbing as well as his outstanding want for the local probation violation and an outstanding want for a violating his Parole in Idaho....ya think!!! 

Like many of you, we are amazed that he could be on Parole in Idaho for homicide and on probation locally....seems counterintuitive to us too.  We are just happy he is safely in custody.  

Two Stabbings in 12 Hours in the 100 Block of Coral Street

In just about a 12 hour span, the Santa Cruz Police Department responded to two separate stabbing incidents in the 100 block of Coral St on February 8th...Helbard's meter must be going crazy!

The first incident occurred about 8:19 AM on the sidewalk in front of 115 Coral St.  This case involved a robbery over a bicycle.  The victim confronted the suspect after catching him in the act of trying to steal his bicycle.  In the confrontation, the suspect stabbed the victim in the arm and fled without the bike.  The victim was later treated at Dominican Hospital for a severed bicep.....ouch!!! 

The suspect has been identified as William Jones, 62 year old.

Mr. Jones joins the Santa Cruz community while being on Parole for Murder out of the State of Idaho.  Amazingly enough, he is on probation here in Santa Cruz and had an outstanding want for a previous probation violation.  He has solidified his position on the starting line up for the Probation All Star team this year.  

Mr. Jones is considered armed and dangerous. If seen please call 9-1-1.

The second incident 12 hours and 2 minutes later.  This case involved two individuals in an argument at the Homeless Services Center. Officers arrived and found the victim sustained stab wounds to his upper torso.  His injuries required him to be flown to a trauma center in the San Jose area for treatment.  

Responding officers followed up and located the suspect at the Homeless Services Center.  The suspect, Enoc Echiverria was arrested for Assault With a Deadly Weapon and booked into jail.  

Stabbing Suspect Identified...And We're Looking For Him

Detectives have identified the suspect in the stabbing case on September 16th at San Lorenzo Blvd and Riverside Ave.  

The suspect is: 

Shawn Frazier - 35 YRS 

5’8” tall, 180 lbs, Brown Hair and Hazel Eyes

Wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. 

Mr. Fazier is to be considered "Armed and Dangerous". 

He has been identified as the stabber in this case that likely resulted from a drug transaction gone bad. 

Mr. Frazier is yet another in a long list of suspects who have a significant history of arrests by SCPD.

If you know his whereabouts....Don't be shy, pick up the phone and call 9-1-1.

If you feel better about leaving an anonymous tip, you can do that at (831) 420-5995, or via our smartphone app.