Mother Turns In Her Son After Seeing Surveillance Photos from Safeway Attack

A day after Central Coast News aired a story about the Santa Cruz community coming together after a woman was attacked, police said they were able to arrest the 17-year-old suspect.

According to Santa Cruz Police the power of social media and strong parenting that helped close this case after the suspect’s mother saw surveillance photos and recognized her son.

The teenager was living with his father in San Jose and police said his mother drove up there and made her son turn himself over to police.

Santa Cruz police said that detectives were able to get a full confession from the suspect. In a news release, police said, “The suspect explained his actions by saying he was extremely high on marijuana and did not want to suffer the consequences of coming down. He stole the purse with the intent of using any money to purchase more marijuana.”

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the two other suspects who were involved (pictures above).

According to police, one of the suspects was driving a small red car similar to a Honda Civic or Accord. The car had white lettering across the back window that spelled INDO TINT, like “window” without the w.

If you know them, or their car, please call the Santa Cruz investigations team at (831) 420-5820. You can also leave an anonymous tip with the Santa Cruz Police smartphone app, or send a text. Simply text TIPSCPD and your message to 274637 (CRIMES).