July Name That Thief - Round 2

We’re back after a short hiatus to deal with the harbor death investigation which took on a national media persona.

Round 2 of July “Name That Thief” features two cases.  Both cases are from Costco, who has amazing video for us.  In Case #1 we are still looking for the suspect.  In case #2 we have identified and arrested the suspects.  Here are your clues:

Case #1

Our suspect in this case is dubbed “El Mustachio the Magician” because he makes a Bose Soundlink speaker disappear before your very eyes…..actually after he steps behind an aisle.  

Aside from his amazing magic skills, he derives his name from the predominate mustache he is sporting along with those Ugg style boots.  He is described as a white male 30-40 years old. Here are still shots from the video:

 

This theft occurred on July 7^th at around 2:00 PM.  EL Mustachio selects a Bose speaker and then ducks in behind an aisle to take the speaker out of the box and conceal it under his shirt and jacket.  El Mustachio then walks out of the store failing to pay for the speaker.  Too bad they can’t make is start playing music remotely!

Here is a video of El Mustachio selecting his box.        

Here is a video of the magic trick.  Watch closely as El Mustachio makes the box disappear while adjusting his shirt and holding his arms in that telltale “I have something hidden under my shirt” look. 

Help us identify El Mustachio the Magician before he makes more merchandise disappear from our stores.

Case #2

Case #2 features that classic moment when you realize you left the store and forgot to steal everything you wanted.

On July 6^th, our two suspects entered Costco and selected electronics equipment including a universal charger and a Bose Soundlink.  Point of advice here….If you buy a used Bose Soundlink, there is a high probability it is stolen, so ask to see the receipt.  

They concealed their loot from the first run into the females purse and headed out the store.  Then it hits them….we forgot to steal everything on the list!!!  Back into the store they go.

This time they select a Blu-ray disc of the movie “Breaking Bad”…(the irony is rich here) and a pair of shoes.  They go back over to the Bose Soundlinks, remove the disc from the holder and the female slips off her shoes and puts on the new shoes.

Here is a video of them doing this second theft. 

This couple was destined for the Name That Thief contest, but excellent work by our officers identified them before I could get them on the blog.  In a subsequent case on July 13^th, they were arrested and identified as:

Gelal Aydogu – 24 year old, Transient

 Shara Agostini – 27 years old, Transient

Aydogu is already “On Probation”.  Both have a history of drug related arrests.

This makes three theft cases from Costco alone.  They were booked for Burglary and Conspiracy. 

Three Cases for June’s Round 3 of “Name That Thief”

Since the bag of station house coffee reward was such a big hit, we are going to “up the ante” for Round 3 of "Name That Thief".

For the correct tip that identifies these suspects, we are giving away this authentic baseball signed by the SCPD Detectives.  Sure to be a collector’s item???

Here are your clues: 

Case #1 

On May 17^th, I broke into a parked car on Lincoln Street in Santa Cruz.  I took a wallet, drill set and walkie-talkies.  I proceeded to go on a shopping spree with my new stolen credit cards and made 10 separate purchases from places like Ross, Office Max, CVS, Woodstock’s Pizza and the like.

I also haul around a skateboard and a backpack.

 Sometimes, I like to tuck my long hair into a stocking cap.  

Please help the police catch me, so I don’t make more victims in your community.  Refer to Detective Brian Warren and Case #14S-03947

Case #2 

On May 25^th, I smashed a back window on a car in the 500 block of Buena Vista.  Rifling through the car, I found a wallet full of credit cards.  I used my newfound riches to buy things at Valero, Home Depot and Target. 

I have formed a partnership with this guy, who helped me spend some of the victim’s money. 

We need to get caught so we don’t steal things in your neighborhoods.  Refer to Detective Brian Warren and Case #14S-20800

Case #3 

On June 13^th I casually walked into Walgreens on Front Street with my own shopping bags.  I proceeded to fill my empty bags with merchandise from the store.  It is important to be a well-dressed thief, and I found I was drawn to clothing like T-Shirts and Hoodies that had “Santa Cruz” printed on them.  I also took several pairs of socks to match my new shirts. 

I casually walked out of the store and got on a black cruiser style bike and rode away.  

If you see me selling these things, I am not a licensed vendor and my merchandise is a little “warm to the touch”....if you know what I mean?  

Refer to Officer Carly Cross and Case #14S-04798.  

As Always, you can contact our Investigations Unit with your tips, or use our Anonymous Tip Line at (831) 420-5995 

You can also leave an anonymous tip via our Website at www.santacruzpolice.com, or our Smartphone App available for Apple and Droid

Credit Card Theft Suspects Behind Bars

A nice way to start 2014, with two theft suspects off the street.  Thanks to tenacious work of Detective Damon Williams and Officer Carter Jones…these two thieves are now behind bars. 

 

Back in October, our victim was contacted by her credit card company warning of suspicious transactions.  She realized her card had been stolen and discovered a slew of unauthorized charges were placed on the account.  The two charged merchandise at stores and meals at restaurants throughout Santa Cruz County. 

Detective Williams went to work tracking down the transactions and any associated video from the stores.  Detective Williams was able to identify the couple.  He alerted patrol teams to “Be on the Lookout” for them.

On December 13^th, Officer Carter Jones had the “Eagle Eye” mojo as he noticed suspect Hallie Bray near the Safeway store on Morrissey, Blvd.  Officer Jones arrested Hallie at that time and obtained a full confession to the string of theft related crimes.  Hallie was booked for Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property. 

Hallie Bray

With Hallie’s partner, Dominique “Nick” Stacey still on the loose, Officer Jones stayed on the prowl.  On New Year’s Day, 2014 while on another call, Officer Jones spotted Nick on Broadway near Fairbanks Ave.  He contacted Nick and found he was in possession of drug paraphernalia and burglary tools.  Officer Jones arrested Mr. Stacey and also obtained his confession. Nick was booked for Burglary, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Nick Stacey

These two have a history of theft and drug related police contacts...A combination that is all too familiar.  It might even surprise you to learn that both are on probation.  Both list their current address as "transient".  If you see them lurking around anything you value, don’t take your eye off them, they are crooks! 

Remember to check those credit card statements thoroughly…especially after holiday shopping!  Quick reporting of unauthorized charges is extremely important as it increases the likelihood that video may be available at locations where the charges took place. This will help us catch the crooks and prevent others from becoming  victims. 

Help Identify Stolen Check Suspects

Back on July 2, 2012, this couple used a stolen check to open an account at Costco.  While they were at it, they purchased over $650 worth of items from the store, again using the stolen check.  The victim of the stolen check contacted the police department after learning of the draw on the account. 

The female opened the account using the name from the stolen check.  She actually took a photo for the back of the card.  Below is the image from the card where she signed up under the ficticious name.  
 

 

If you recognize these individuals, please contact Detective Bynes at the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit (831) 420-5820.  You may also submit an anonymous tip via our Tip Line at (831) 420-5995 or via our mobile app for iPhone and Android.  Case #12S-07674