SCPD to Host Burglary Crime Prevention Presentation April 9 on Facebook Live

Keeping Stores Safe from Burglaries in the
Time of the Coronavirus

The Santa Cruz Police Department is hosting a "virtual presentation" via Facebook Live for local businesses on Thursday, 4/9/2020, at 3:00 pm designed to help shop owners protect their business from burglary crime.

 With many companies closed due to COVID-19, cities everywhere are seeing an uptick in commercial burglaries. SCPD has increased patrol enforcement, made arrests, and seen success with Burglar Suppression Units. We are also offering this free webinar to educate the community on crime prevention to protect against commercial burglary.

Chief Andrew Mills and Sergeant Carter Jones will outline critical ways businesses can cut liability risks, apply security tactics, improve the environmental design, and best practices to thwart opportunistic thieves.

Chief Mills is also waiving false alarm fees during this public health crisis. Learn about the most effective equipment and resources to protect against commercial burglary.

Presentation will stream live on SCPD Facebook.
Thursday, April 9
3:00 – 4:00 pm

Submit questions in advance by email to askSCPD@cityofsantacruz.com

Recorded webinar and presentation materials will be made available www.SantaCruzPolice.com

SCPD Together with Involved Community Stops Crime

Incident #1
Hit & Run Leads to Stolen Loaded Rifle & Credit Cards

On Saturday, 7/11/2015, around 6:00pm, Santa Cruz Police Department responded to the report of a vehicle collision in the area of Delaware St. and Fair St. A red Ford Focus struck the driver side of a white Volvo XC80 and fled the scene.

Although the initial report claimed major injuries occurred, it was determined there were no injured victims at the scene.

While in route, Santa Cruz Police Officers located two of the vehicles described in the collision in the area of California Street at Trescony Street. The investigation showed that the red Ford Focus fled the collision scene.

The driver of the Volvo continued to follow the Ford Focus until both cars stopped in the area of California St and Trescony St. The driver of the red Ford Focus was identified as Gilberto Uribe, 20 years old, a Santa Cruz resident.

 In addition to being the suspect hit and run driver, several witnesses reported that they saw Uribe get out of the car with black backpack and throw it over a nearby fence. Officers on the scene found the backpack with a loaded rifle inside. It was later determined that the rifle was stolen out of Santa Clara County. Mr. Uribe was also found in possession of stolen credit cards from a theft that occurred in Santa Cruz earlier in the day.

Uribe told officers that he fled the collision scene because he believed he was being followed and someone was trying to shoot him.

Mr. Uribe was arrested for several felony charges related to being in possession of a stolen and loaded firearm and violating his probation. His charges also included DUI drugs and hit &run. Uribe also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Case#15S-05986

Incident #2
Alert neighbor calls SCPD to stop burglar.

Over the weekend a proactive neighbor called in to report a suspicious person open and enter an unlocked front door of a home in the 100 block of Sycamore Street.

Suspect burglar Isaias Martinez, 26 years old from Santa Cruz came out the apartment a few minutes later carrying jewelry.

The alert neighbor called 9-1-1 and was able to provide a strong detailed description of the suspect.

Responding officers were quickly on the scene and located Mr. Martinez with multiple items of stolen property in his possession.

Isaias Martinez was arrested for residential burglary. Case#15S-05978

Thanks to an alert citizen watching out for their neighborhood.

Quick-Thinking Duo Thwarts Home Burglary

Home burglary & invasion was prevented by quick acting residents. Well done!

On Saturday, June 20, at around 10:11pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to a report of “residential burglary in progress.” A resident in the 400 block of Broadway Street called the Santa Cruz Police Department Dispatch stating that an unknown male had been attempting entry into their home.

The suspect, later identified as Zachary Scott Torres, 22, transient, had been beating on the metal screen door of the residence. Torres attempted entry when told to leave by the male resident. The male resident thwarted Torres by using a wooden practice sword, forcing him outside and on to the ground. Torres then smashed a clay pot from the property and threw a shard through a window, injuring the male resident.

SCPD arrived on the scene as Torres was being chased from the property by the male resident. Suspect Torres ignored the officer’s orders to stop and began to run away. The SCPD officer followed on foot and was soon joined by six more officers and a canine unit.

Within minutes, Torres was apprehended and arrested. A witness on the scene positively identified Torres as the suspect fleeing from the SCPD officers.

Torres was booked and jailed for the multiple charges including: Resisting arrest, Assault with a deadly weapon, Threats, Burglary, Vandalism and Disorderly conduct. Case#15S-05288

We are thankful for the resident's quick thinking and that their injuries were not more serious. 

SCPD applauds the team of officers for responding quickly and apprehending the suspect almost immediately.

Help Us Identify This Bike and Owner

Help us find the owner of this bike

On Wednesday, 04/03/2013, at approximately 8:40 AM a house on Gharkey St. was burglarized.  The suspect left behind his black and red Schwinn S40DSX, 21 speed mountain bike. This bike might have been previously stolen and used by the suspect, or it might actually belong to the suspect.  In which case, tell us who that is! 

If you recognize this bike or are the owner please contact the Santa Cruz Police Department.  Refer to Officer Cross and Case #13S-02700

Help Us Catch This Crook

Wanted Burglar

The suspect depicted below broke into a business in the 300 block of Soquel Avenue between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM on January 14^th.  This suspect took laptops and a computer server.  He actually removed the server from the server rack in the computer room of the business.  He was captured on video surveillance both breaking into the building and then leaving with the stolen goods.

   

If you recognize him, please contact Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.  You may also leave an anonymous tip via our tip line (831) 420-5995, or iPhone and Droid mobile apps. 

If you see this guy lurking about call 9-1-1, he needs to go to jail.  If you're the suspect, you might want to think about surrendering - someone is bound to recognize you from these photos.