Police Blotter: Gang Task Force Arrests Five Tuesday

Five males, three of them juveniles, were arrested for involvement in a criminal street gang on Tuesday night.

Around 8:30 p.m. police pulled over a blue Honda for a vehicle violation on West Beach Street near Rodriguez Street. After the vehicle stopped, a 15-year-old passenger exited the vehicle and began running, holding the area of his waistband. Officer Fernando Lopez of the Watsonville Police Department chased the suspect on foot, and captured him at the Metro at 475 Rodriguez Street, recovering a semi automatic pistol the suspect had thrown into a planter in the CVS parking lot. The suspect was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a concealed loaed firearm, resisting arrest and gang enhancements.

While Officer Lopez chased the suspect with the gun, the driver of the blue Honda drove off, and Officer Michael McKinley pursued the vehicle with his lights and siren on. The vehicle stopped at The Discount Mall at 375 Rodriguez Street. Officers conducted a high risk stop and detained all four subjects. 

The 19-year-old driver was charged with failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and involvement in criminal street gang. The other passengers, were also charged with involvement in a criminal street gang. All three juveniles were transported to Juvenile Hall, and the two adults were taken to Santa Cruz County Jail. 

Watsonville Poilce Log, Tuesday, Dec. 27

1:34 a.m.— A 32-year-old male was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon on the 300 block of Locust Street. 

11:19 a.m.—An unidentified suspect stole company checks from the and has been attempting to cash them in San Jose. The San Jose Police Department has been notified for follow up.

2:53 p.m.—A 20-year-old man was arrested after stealing money from his employer on the 300 block of South Green Valley Road. He has been charged with embezzlement and booked into county jail. 

3:16 p.m.—Multiple males were detained by Watsonville Police Department for loitering and drinking alcohol at Ramsey Park on the 1300 block of Main Street. An 18-year-old male in the group had a bench warrant out for his arrest. A request to pick up and detain another male for failure to obey the order of Juvenile Court has been sent. 

9:25 p.m.—A 30-year-old male was arrested for being in possession of a concealed weapon and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail. The suspect is also being charged with participating in a criminal street gang. 

11:31 p.m.—An unknown suspect smashed two windows of an unoccupied vehicle parked on the 100 block of Holly Drive. A Sprint Blackberry was recovered from the scene. 

County of Santa Cruz Sheriffs Office Press Log, Tuesday, Dec. 27

11:18 a.m.—A man was arrested on the 100 block of Coward Road for possession of a hypodermic needle. The suspect was contacted during a stolen tractor investigation, and found in possession of syringes and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was booked into custody for violation of probation.