Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: 'Shoulder Tap' Alcohol Busts Continue

The following arrest information was provided by the Watsonville Police Department and the Sheriff's Office. It does not indicate a conviction.

Watsonville police are still using underage "decoys" to bust people willing to buy alcohol for kids.

Three people were ticketed Friday during the "shoulder tap" operations at several area businesses, Watsonville police reported.

  • A 25-year-old man was cited for buying beer for a minor at the Shell gas station on the 1800 block of Freedom Boulevard around 5 p.m.
  • An hour later, a 26-year-old woman fell for the ploy at Cork and Bottle, on the 1900 block of Main Street, and purchased beer for someone who was underage.
  • A 26-year-old man bought beer for one of the decoys at East Lake Liquors around 7 p.m.

Watsonville Police Log, Sunday, March 18

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8:14 a.m.—A car burglar smashed out the window of a vehicle on Loma Vista  Drive and Ohlone Parkway, then stole items. The break-in happened in the past 24 hours.

9:12 a.m.—Vandals used spray paint to damage three vehicles parked on the 100 block of Brennan Street overnight.

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1:42 p.m.—A 17-year-old was ticketed for damaging his parents' house, on the 400 block of Holohan Road.

5:27 p.m.—A 76-year-old man walked into The Villager bar on East Lake Avenue and refused to leave. He was confrontational, so officers arrested him for being drunk in public.

Saturday, March 17

7:58 p.m.—A 51-year-old man was arrested on a warrant after officers were called to a disturbance at the Plaza Hotel, on the 100 block of East Beach Street.

3:28 p.m.—A 52-year-old woman was ticketed for battery on the 100 block of West Lake Avenue.

5:53 p.m.—A teenager was caught with a knife on Fifth and Jefferson streets, which violates his probation. He got a ticket.

Friday, March 16

8:01 a.m.—A vandal slashed tires on a vehicle parked on the 100 block of Casillas Avenue. The damage happened overnight.

1:31 p.m.—A 31-year-old man was drunk on the 2000 block of Freedom Boulevard. He was arrested for that and a misdemeanor warrant.

1:33 p.m.—A man police suspect may have been plotting to break into cars in the parking garage on West Beach Street was arrested. He reportedly had burglary tools in a duffel bag and was on probation.

4:40 p.m.—A 28-year-old man stopped for shoplifting from Kmart had a warrant for felony battery and was arrested.

5:05 p.m.—A teenager pushed and choked another teen outside EA Hall Middle School. The attacker got away.

5:32 p.m.—A teenage boy was ticketed for shoplifting from Target.

6:19 p.m.—A cell phone was stolen from a gym locker at Rolling Hills Middle School while the locker was locked.

9:20 p.m.—A 53-year-old woman was arrested for being drunk in public near the police station, on the 200 block of Union Street.

9:59 p.m.—A woman, age 44, was arrested on a felony warrant at the Motel 6 on Silver Leaf Drive.

Sheriff's Office Log, Saturday, March 17

11:08 p.m.—A man was arrested for a warrant on Stewart Avenue.

Friday, March 16

A man was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant on the 100 block of Manfre Road.

A check stolen from a mailbox on Nunes Road was cashed at a store in Watsonville. The check was taken Feb. 1

March 11

A car was vandalized on the 100 block of Pajaro Circle.


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