Teens Arrested On Suspicion Of Santa Cruz Armed Robberies

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz police arrested two East Bay juveniles on suspicion of being involved in two early morning armed robberies Wednesday after the pair crashed their vehicle into a home. The suspects crashed into a house near John Street and West Cliff Drive and then fled from the scene of the crash, police said.

Santa Cruz Police setup a perimeter with help from the California Highway Patrol and University of California at Santa Cruz police, and took the suspects into custody a short time later. A search of the suspects' vehicle discovered items from victims who were robbed earlier in the day.

Police said two separate robberies took place within 30 minutes of each other between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Wednesday morning. A man and two women were robbed at gunpoint at Laurel and Myrtle
streets at 2:22 a.m. Then at 2:45 a.m., another man also was robbed at gunpoint and assaulted at Palm and Mission streets by three suspects.

The victims in both instances said the suspects approached them and demanded their belongings, according to police. The suspects were seen driving away in a dark sedan. At 6:45 a.m., officers located a firearm near Mission and Bay streets. Investigators believe the firearm is related to the robberies.

Around 7 a.m., a man left his car idling in the driveway only to discover two suspects attempting to drive away with the vehicle. The man fought the suspects off and they fled. Police believe the carjacking to be related to the robberies.

Santa Cruz police are asking anyone with information or who witnessed the crimes to call (831) 420-5820.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock