DAY was located and arrested in Capitola following a car stop. He was arrested without incident. DAY is a resident of San Jose but associates with individuals in the Santa Cruz County area. ROCHA was arrested without incident in his home in Watsonville. Both individuals were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for Attempted Homicide (664/186 PC), Prohibited person in possession of a firearm (29800(A)(1) PC), and Participation in a criminal street gang (186.22(B).
Michael Trabue DAY (05/27/2000) of San Jose. Booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for Attempted Homicide, Prohibited
person in possession of a firearm, and Participation in a
criminal street gang.
Enrique ROCHA (07/27/1999) of Watsonville. Booked
into the Santa Cruz County Jail for Attempted Homicide, Prohibited
person in possession of a firearm, and Participation in a
criminal street gang.
BACKGROUND:
On July 21, 2019 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to the report of multiple gunshots heard in the 300 block of Barson Street. Upon arrival, officers located evidence that a shooting had in fact occurred and proceeded to process the crime scene. No victims were identified at the time of the initial investigation. The case investigation was turned over to detectives who have been actively working the case since July 21, 2019. (19S-05195)
On July 31, 2019 at approximately 4:00 p.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Santa Cruz Metro located in the 900 block of Pacific Ave. Involved parties had fled the scene, however the gun believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered at the scene as well as evidence associated to the suspect. Multiple witness were interviewed and video evidence was reviewed. A victim was located and the suspect remains outstanding. (19S-05500)
On August 3, 2019 at approximately 12:09 a.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to the report of a shooting in the 700 block of Chestnut St. Upon arrival, officers responded to the area at which time it was determined an exchange of gunfire occurred between two subjects. During the investigation an adult male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound arrived at the hospital and determined to be a victim of this incident. The victim’s injuries were determined to be non-life threatening. The case investigation was turned over to detectives who have been actively working the case since August 3, 2019. (19S-05576)
On Tuesday August 13, 2019 at approximately 11:19 p.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 800 block of Pacific Ave. Officers located evidence of a shooting and an adult male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was located outside the downtown area and his injuries were determined to be non-life threatening. Officers processed the crime scene, interviewed several witnesses, and reviewed video footage collected from the area. The case investigation was turned over to detectives who have been actively working the case since August 13, 2019. (19S-05847)
SCPD Response to Uptick in Gun Violence
As a result of this spike of violence, Santa Cruz Police Department deployed multiple gang suppression operations and collaborated with the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime and Gang Task Force team in an effort to curb the uptick in related violence.
Since July 21, 2019, Santa Cruz Police Detectives have been working tirelessly on these series of shootings. The investigation led detectives to two separate persons of interest and locations in which search warrants were eventually obtained. On Monday August 12, 2019 members of the Santa Cruz Police Department Emergency Services Unit served two search warrants in Santa Cruz and San Jose where detectives recovered a firearm from each location. At this time, it has not been determined if the recovered firearms are associated to any of the shootings.
On August 14, 2019 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Police Officers contacted a group individuals drinking alcohol in the area of Liebrandt Ave. at Beach St. During the course of the contact, officers arrested 19 year-old Cesar Corcoles for multiple weapons possession violations with a criminal street gang enhancement. A juvenile male subject was also arrested for an outstanding felony warrant, probation violation, and possession of a loaded firearm. (19S-05876)
The Santa Cruz Police Department will continue to collaborate with allied agencies in an effort to curb this rash of gun violence within the community.
The Santa Cruz Police Investigations Section asks anyone who has additional information related to any other the aforementioned incidents to please contact the Investigations main phone line at 831-420-5820.
