SANTA CRUZ: Police arrest teens for armed robbery and attempted carjacking

Two male juveniles are in custody after allegedly robbing pedestrians at gunpoint on the Westside of Santa Cruz.

According to police, in the early morning hours Wednesday, officers pursued the suspect’s car involved in the armed robberies. The suspect crashed into a home near John Street and West Cliff Drive. The suspects then fled on foot.

SCP Officers located the 16 and 17-year-old suspects who live in the East Bay. Police said they believe the two teens were involved in multiple robberies Wednesday.

The first robbery occurred around 2:22 a.m., a man and two women were robbed at gunpoint while walking home on Laurel Street and Myrtle. The second armed robbery occurred about 20 minutes later at 2:45 a.m. on Palm and Mission Street. A man was robbed at gunpoint and struck by three assailants.

According to victim statements, the suspect approached and demanded the victim’s wallet and personal items. The victims in both robberies had similar descriptions of the suspects.

Police said, “The victims in both cases described the suspects as Hispanic males dressed in dark clothes. The suspects were seen driving away in a dark sedan.”

At 6:45 a.m. Santa Cruz Police recovered a gun in the area of Mission and Bay Street. Detectives believe it to be involved in the robberies.

Just before 7:00 a.m. Santa Cruz Police responded to an attempted carjacking in the 200 block of Sacramento Street. The victim left his car idling while getting items from inside the home. The victim returned and found two suspects attempting to drive away in the car. The victim ran out and opened the car door and fought with the suspects. The two suspects fled on foot.

Police searched the suspect vehicle and found numerous stolen items belonging to the victims of both cases. Detectives believe the two robberies and attempted carjacking are related.

The Santa Cruz Police Department asks anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820.