We Are Proud to Announce the Promotion of Sergeant Gregg Crofts

The Santa Cruz Police Department is proud to introduce Sergeant Gregg Crofts.  Sergeant Crofts was promoted this afternoon by Chief Vogel.  Sergeant Crofts will be filling one of 3 anticipated Sergeant openings created by retirements.

Sergeants serve as first line supervisors over patrol teams and other specialized units.   Sergeant Crofts will be assigned to supervise a patrol team in the Operations Division.

Sergeant Crofts is an 11 year veteran of the department.  He attended Cal State Fullerton and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  In addition to patrol, Gregg has worked in the Downtown Unit, and Investigations Unit.  In the Investigations Unit, Gregg worked several high-profile cases and was one of the unit’s crime scene investigators.  Gregg also serves as a charter member of the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team and a firearms instructor.  Prior to his promotion, Gregg was working back in patrol as a Field Training Officer. Reflecting back on his career, Gregg most favored his time working in the Downtown Unit. 

In his time off, Gregg enjoys spending time with his family, and his hobbies that include woodworking, mountain biking, and competitive shooting matches.

Chief Kevin Vogel stated, “We are both proud and fortunate to have such a high level of candidates for promotion.  Gregg is exceptional in every way and he will shine as a leader and supervisor in our department”.

Congratulations Sergeant Gregg Crofts! 

Sheriff's Office Baker to Vegas Team Honors Memory of Seregeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Baker to Vegas team honors the memory of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.  The Baker to Vegas Challenge cup is a grueling 120 mile race across the California desert from Baker, CA to Downtown Las Vegas.  Race teams are comprised of law enforcement officers and volunteer support crews.   It is an impressive feat to accomplish.  For more information take a look:

http://www.bakervegas.com/

This year the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office team honored the memory of Butch and Elizabeth with a logo on their race shirts and by carrying the official race baton with their names included among all California law enforcement officers that were lost over the past year.  

Sergeant John Habermehl passes the baton to Chief Vogel

 

Special thanks to Sergeant John Habermehl and Chief Deputy Jeremy Verinsky who were part of the race team.  Both joined Sheriff Phil Wowak and Chief Deputy Jim Hart in presenting Chief Vogel with the official race baton carried by Sheriff’s Office team members, and official running shirts from their team.  

 This was a touching tribute!  

We are very grateful for our relationship with the fine men and women of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and we are proud to serve our community alongside them.  Thank You Sheriff's Office Team!!!

Volunteers Celebrated at Lunch

The Santa Cruz Police Department recognized our outstanding group of volunteers Wednesday with a fiesta style lunch. 

The Police Department has a corps of 25 volunteers that perform many essential functions such as:

• Fleet Care and Maintenance
• Record Scanning and Filing
• Mentoring our Youth in the Community
• Radio and Communication Technology Expertise
• Patrolling Your Streets as a Reserve Police Officer

Some of our current full time employees started their career as a volunteer for the department. 

We are proud of the work they do.  They share in our successes and are truly part of the engine that makes things go here at the Santa Cruz Police Department. 

Thank You Volunteers!  You are an amazing group of dedicated people!    

Not all of them could make the lunch, but here is a photo of those who did:

Great Patrol Work Leads to Arrest For Stolen Property

Great Work by Officers Karina Ceceña and Alec Ganzel

At 5:05 PM on May 28, 2013, Officer Karina Ceceña responded to the Days Inn 600 Riverside Ave, for a report of a theft. She contacted the victim who owns a construction company.  The victim parked his work truck in the parking lot of the motel sometime after midnight. When the victim went to leave for work later in the morning, he discovered his $600 “Chop Saw” was missing.  Officer Ceceña was able to view surveillance footage from early morning and saw a truck pull in and park next to the victim’s vehicle. 

A male from the truck got out of the truck, put on a yellow construction helmet and then climbed into the bed of the victim’s truck, stealing the saw.  At about 9:00 PM, Officers Alec Ganzel and Karina Ceceña were sharing case information about a similar vehicle involved in an unrelated case.  

Officers Ganzel and Ceceña connected the information and located the suspect’s truck parked in the area of Branciforte Avenue and Belvedere Terrace with the doors open and two people standing in the immediate area.

One of those persons, Kyle Franks, matched the overall description from the surveillance footage and a yellow construction hat was located inside his vehicle.  In the vehicle’s bed was the stolen “Chop Saw”.  

Mr. Franks was taken into custody for Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Heroin and Theft.  His bail was enhanced because he was out of custody on Court “Own Recognizance” release at the time of this new offense, 12022.1(b) PC.   Mr. Franks has a significant history of arrest for theft and drug related offenses dating back to 2000.  If you see his truck in your neighborhood, take note!

Arrested:  Kyle Wyatt Franks – 27 yrs,  Felton Resident

Suspect Vehicle = 2007 White Chevy Truck License# 8F41471

 

Help Us Catch This Bank Robbery Suspect

On May 28, 2013, the lone suspect pictured below entered the Bank of the West at 1551 Pacific Ave and demanded cash from the teller.  The suspect also threatened the teller, as well as demanding he not be given any bills with a dye-pack, or GPS device.  

The teller handed over the cash to the suspect.  He walked out of the bank through the doors on the Pacific Avenue side and then fled southbound on Pacific Avenue.  There were 2 additional customers inside the bank at the time as well as additional bank staff.  No one was injured in the robbery.  No weapon was actually seen. 

Here are a few portraits of our suspect in the act...

If you're Mr. Robber and you're looking at these photos....you might consider the unconditional full surrender option, as it is likely we'll have you identified pretty quickly. 

 

In addition to these great photos, here is a further description.  

White Male Adult 20-25 YRS

Approximately 5 feet 7 inches, 160 pounds

Brown Hair

Pock-marked Complexion

Scruffy Facial Hair

Wearing:

Grey Chicago White Sox Baseball Hat

Black Sunglasses

Black Hoodie with “Santa Cruz” skateboards logo

Blue Jeans

Black Shoes

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.  If you recognize the suspect, please call 9-1-1 to report this information.