Police Blotter: Robbers Force Woman to Empty Bank Account

A woman told Watsonville police two robbers kidnapped her, threatened her with a gun and forced her to withdraw money from her checking account.

The bizarre robbery happened during the lunch hour Thursday as the woman was walking to the post office on the 2000 block of Freedom Boulevard. She said a man approached her, pointed a gun at her and told her he wanted her to withdraw money from her bank, according to police Lt. David McCartney.

He escorted her to a waiting car—a four-door compact—driven by a second man and they traveled south on Freedom Boulevard to the branch, McCartney said.

The gunman walked the woman into the bank and watched her take out an undisclosed amount of cash. Then they returned to the car and the robbers drove the woman back to the post office, according to police.

The kidnapping and robbery happened in a busy part of town. McCartney said the woman told police she didn’t seek help because she feared for her life.

“She was scared and the suspect had threatened her not to bring any attention to herself,” he said.

The woman had to pick up her daughter and take her to an appointment Thursday afternoon. She reported the robbery around 7 p.m. Because the bank had already closed, detectives were working Friday to get surveillance footage in hopes the robber was caught on tape. So far, no suspects have been identified, according to McCartney.

“At this point, we’re still investigating,” he said.

Both robbers were Latino men who only spoke Spanish. The gunman was 35 years old and 5 feet 11 inches tall with a medium build. The driver was about 60 years old and 5 feet tall with a medium build.

Police ask anyone with information about the robbery and kidnapping to call the Investigations Bureau at 768-3350.

Watsonville Police Log, Thursday, Feb. 10

10:25 a.m.—Jorge Mendez Garnica, 43, was arrested on a warrant while police were checking out a trespassing report on the 100 block of Sakata Lane. He was jailed.

12:34 p.m.—Pamela Armi, 52, was arrested for being drunk in public on the 1900 block of Main Street.

12:40 p.m.—Edgar Rivas-Fruto allegedly was seen hanging out with other gang members near 139 Maple Ave., a violation of a court order. Police said it's the second time in two weeks he's been arrested on suspicion of that violation, and he was taken to Santa Cruz County Jail.

5:01 p.m.—Police said Ariel Cruz Ramirez, 25, tried to cash a stolen, forged check for $875 at a bank on the 600 block of Main Street. Ramirez allegedly used a fake ID card and left the card and the check at the bank. Police are getting an arrest warrant.

6:28 p.m.—Burglars broke into a home on the 100 block of Crespi Way through an unlocked bathroom window and stole electronics and cash. Police found fingerprints.

6:38 p.m.—A group of teens was caught with marijuana on the 100 block of Riverside Drive.

7:43 p.m.—Zeferino Lopez, 41, was arrested on the 100 block of West Fifth Street on two misdemeanor warrants.

9:46 p.m.—Anna Gonzalez, 23, was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting at .

10:56 p.m.—Officers stopped a teen on the 200 block of Brewington Avenue, because he was riding his bike at night without a light. He was arrested on suspicion of drinking alcohol and released to his father.

Wednesday, Feb. 9

8:34 a.m.—Rocky Cruz Can, 22, turned himself in at the police station. He was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant, and was cited and released.

11:41 a.m.—Jose Murillo was arrested on the 100 block of West Beach Street for two warrants.

3:01 p.m.—Porfirio Melgoza, 30, was arrested at his house on the 200 block of Center Street for a warrant.

5:45 p.m.—A 53-year-old man told police someone used his identity to obtain items without paying. As a result, he has been sent to collections, and his wages were garnished. Police are investigating.

6:35 p.m.—Police responded to a gang assault on the 100 block of Riverside Avenue.

8:08 p.m.—Officers recovered a stolen stereo during a traffic stop on the 1500 block of Freedom Boulevard. George Martinez, 22, was cited for possessing stolen property. The stereo had been reported stolen in Fresno. Police found it while searching Martinez's vehicle.

9:23 p.m.—A 40-year-old man and his cousin were assaulted on the 100 block of Riverside Drive. The man was stabbed in the leg. The attack happened in the same area where police responded to a gang fight three hours prior.