CITY-WIDE RAPE ALERTS

The following descriptions are limited to rapes by unknown assailants that led to a police-generated Community Alert. Further information about total city reported rape numbers can be accessed through the SCPD (Santa Cruz Police Department) section of the City of Santa Cruz website at www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us. Further information about on-campus reported rape numbers can be accessed through the campus police website at www2.ucsc.edu/police.

November 9, 2009
Location: Cedar St. and Walnut Ave.
Attempted kidnapping
A 23-year old female victim reported that she was walking on Cedar when a man in a sliver Toyota Prius drove up next to her and offered her a ride and tried to coax her into the vehicle. The victim ignored him and continued walking, so the suspect stopped his car, got out, and grabbed the victim, attempting to force her into the vehicle. The victim resisted, escaped, and ran to a nearby business where she reported the attack. The suspect was descried as a Latino male in his mid-twenties, with a goatee and short slicked-back hair.

October 23, 2009
Location: Blackburn St. and Laurel St.
Sexual assault
An unknown assailant – described as a Latino male, approximately 30 years old, 5’4’’, 185 pounds, with “military style” hair – sexually assaulted two 21-year old females who were walking home by grabbing “one of the women up under her skirt. He grabbed the second woman in an attempt to knock her to the ground.” The victims yelled, causing the suspect to run away. They notified SCPD, who searched the area but still have not found the suspect.

October 14, 2009
Location: West Cliff Dr.
Sexual assault/battery
An assailant wearing a ski mask entered the home of a 69-year old female Santa Cruz resident through an unlocked door. The victim was “bound, gagged, struck and raped,” and suffered injuries to her face, between 5:30 and 6:30 AM. The suspect was unarmed and fled by unknown means.  The victim was taken to the hospital and in stable condition. Anyone with information on the crime should call (831) 420-5820 or the anonymous tip line at (831) 420-5995.

October 10, 2009
Location: Walnut Ave.
Sexual battery
At approximately 7:20 PM, a Latino male – 20-30 years old, 5’7’’, 200 pounds, with short dark hair – grabbed the female victim’s buttocks near Santa Cruz High School. The suspect fled and the victim went home and contacted the police.

September 13, 2009
Location: Lincoln St. and Chestnut St.
Sexual assault
A Latino male – approximately 25-years old, 5’4’’-5’6’’, 180 pounds, with dark hair – sexually assaulted a 38-year old female Santa Cruz resident. The attack occurred at around 1:20 AM when the victim was walking home. The suspect did not physically restrain the victim and fled.

September 9, 2009
Location: 300 block of Laurel St.
Sexual battery
A Latino male – 28-33 years old, 5’8’’-5’9’’, 215 pounds, with dark hair, brown eyes, a tattoo on the right side of his neck and on his right forearm, and a scar above his left eyebrow – “grabbed the female victim from behind, pushed her against a fence and threatened her.” He then put his hand into her pants and touched her as he grabbed her jaw to prevent her from screaming. The victim bit the suspect’s hand, drawing blood, and kicked him in the groin when he pulled away. She was then able to flee and contact the police.

July 8, 2009
Location: Borders Books and Music, Pacific Ave.
Sexual battery
At around 9:00 PM, the suspect, 27-year old Felipe Rojel, engaged the 17-year old female victim in conversation inside the bookstore. He then asked if he could hug her, and the victim “agreed, as he appeared friendly.” The suspect began to “rub against the girl in a sexual manner as he hugged her.” The victim and her father later flagged down an officer, and the suspect was subsequently arrested.


July 2, 2009
Location: 1500 block of Pacific Ave.
Sexual battery
A 35-year old woman reported that she was “inappropriately touched from behind two times by an unknown male subject” inside a business. She stated that the first time seemed accidental, and she did not respond. The subject then grabbed her more forcefully a second time then fled. This description matched a May 30th report by another victim in which the subject appeared to accidentally make contact from behind and then forcefully made contact again. The suspect is described as a 30-40 year old Latino male, 5’4’’-5’8’’, 180-210 pounds.

June 21, 2009
Location: 700 block of Seabright Ave.
Sexual assault
A 28-year old female Santa Cruz resident was found lying down, passed out and partially disrobed, next to the sidewalk by police officers. She had injuries to her mouth, eye, knee, and hand, and had been walking home at approximately 10 PM when she was attacked. She was transported to a hospital where she later stated that she had been sexually assaulted. She described the suspect as a Latino male in his early- to mid-twenties, 5’8’’, with brown eyes, black hair, medium/dark complexion, and a mustache and goatee.

May 28, 2009
Location: Myrtle and Taylor St.
Sexual battery
At 8:40 AM, a 15-year old female Santa Cruz High School student was walking to school when a Latino male, approximately 20-years old with a shaved or bald head and diamond earring, approached her on his red mountain bike and engaged her in conversation. He “made a physical advance toward the victim, which the victim rebuffed.” He then inappropriately touched the victim, who pushed him off, causing him to flee. The victim went to school, where she reported the incident.

April 27, 2009
Location: 1500 block of Pacific Ave.
Attempted sexual assault
A 27-year old Santa Cruz female was attacked at 1:10 AM while picking up her locked bicycle. When she unlocked her bike, the victim felt someone come from behind and grab her, causing her to scream. He then overpowered her, pushed her to the ground, and reached up her skirt in an attempt to remove her underwear. The scream caused several nearby residents to turn their lights on, which scared the suspect away. Neighbors called the police, who arrived after the victim had already fled. She later called to report the incident after meeting with friends.

March 12, 2009
Location: 900 block of Center St.
Sexual battery
Crow Ken Lord, a massage therapist, was arrested at approximately 9:00 PM for a sexual battery that occurred at his place of business. A victim reported that, during the course a scheduled massage, Lord began to inappropriately touch and sexually batter her. Charged were not filed, so Lord was released.



Academic Year 2007-08

COMMUNITY ALERT
DATE/TIME: March 19, 2008 at 6:00 am
LOCATION: 2222 E Cliff Drive
TOPIC: Sexual Assault
UPDATE CASE NUMBER: 08S-02311
Assailant: Male - Hispanic 5'9'', Age 18-25, Shaved Head, Blue Shirt, Black zippered hooded sweatshirt with grey or light-colored writing or design.
VICTIM: Female Santa Cruz Resident, Age 24
INFORMATION:

Based on information from the victim, police investigators are releasing an updated suspect description. The suspect is a Hispanic male, height of 5’9”, 18-25 years old with a shaved head, wearing a blue shirt and black zippered hooded sweatshirt with grey or light-colored writing or design.

Investigators located a knife in a trash can in the parking lot of the complex. It is unclear whether was the knife
was the weapon used. Investigators are obtaining fingerprints from the recovered knife to compare to prints on
file in the fingerprints database.

BACKGROUND:

On March 19th, 2008 at approximately 6:00 am, a female was sexually assaulted at the Kind Grind coffee shop at 2222 E Cliff Drive. The victim unlocked the door to the business at 5:45 am and the suspect entered through the unlocked door shortly after. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim and robbed her. He had a knife and
attempted to lock the victim in a storage freezer. The suspect then fled, possibly towards the harbor and then on a bicycle. He is described as a Latino male with a shaved head. Santa Cruz Police plan to release additional details once the victim has been examined and received counseling.

Two Santa Cruz Police officers arrived within 2 minutes of the call from the victim. Within 5 minutes of the call,
dispatchers broadcast a Be On the Lookout bulletin with the suspect’s description to all agencies in the county. Santa Cruz Police requested assistance from the State Parks Police and a dog was brought in and tracked the suspect in the direction of the harbor before the scent disappeared.

Santa Cruz Police have every available detective on scene, where they are expected to remain for the rest of the day.

The crime scene team will process any additional physical evidence at the scene and forward it to the Department of Justice. Santa Cruz detectives are currently reviewing sex registrants in the area for possible involvement.

Investigators will also review video from nearby businesses for any evidence.

Santa Cruz Police are increasing patrols in the area and coordinating actively with Port District officials, including the Harbormaster and the Harbor Police. Police and the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women are coordinating and will be distributing posters in the area today. Police have contacted business owners in the area so their employees can be aware of the incident.

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident is encouraged to call the Santa Cruz Police Department
Investigations Section at (831) 420-5820.

To leave ANONYMOUS information, please call our TIP LINE (831) 420-5995

Academic Year 2006-07

COMMUNITY ALERT
DATE/TIME: April 25, 2007 -- approximately 2:00 a.m.
LOCATION: 100 Block of Cathcart St.
CASE NUMBER: 07S-03983
INVOLVED SUBJECTS:
Assailant: White Male, 30 years old, Tall, Thin, with Long Brown Hair and a Gray Sweatshirt
VICTIM: Santa Cruz Resident (Female) Early 50s
INFORMATION: 

On April 25, 2007 at approximately 2:00 a.m., a female Santa Cruz resident was the victim of a sexual assault while walking to a store downtown. The victim initially reported the incident to family and then contacted the Santa Cruz Police Department approximately 45 minutes after the occurrence. Officers spoke to the victim and received the following information:

The female victim was walking to a store after leaving her downtown residence when an unknown suspect grabbed her and physically forced her against the side of a building. The victim fought with the attacker however she was overpowered by the suspect and sexually assaulted. No weapon was seen during the attack. After arriving at the victim’s location, officers transported the victim to a local hospital and remained with her until she was treated and later released. The Santa Cruz Police Department is reviewing video footage from surrounding businesses to attempt to gain a better description of the suspect or any potential vehicle used to get away. It is unclear which direction the suspect fled after the attack. Officers will be working with the victim to obtain a sketch. The Santa Cruz Police Department is partnering with the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women to distribute fliers in the general vicinity of the attack.

The Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Section is actively seeking any witnesses to the incident. If you have any additional information, please contact Santa Cruz Police Investigations at (831) 420-5820.

To Leave ANONYMOUS information regarding this incident, please call our TIP LINE (831) 420-5995
 

Academic Year 2005-06

December 15, 2005
UCSC Police have posted details on that office's web site about a sexual assault that occurred on Thursday, December 15, at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Chinquapin and Red Hill Roads (the fire roads north of the main campus). Police report that a male subject sexually assaulted a female jogger. The suspect is identified as a "white male, mid-forties, 5'-10", weighing 140 pounds with shoulder length un-kept brown hair, and unshaven."
For the complete bulletin, please go to: http://police.ucsc.edu/communityalert121505.html

Saturday, October 8, 2005
On Saturday, October 8, 2005, at approximately 2:00 p.m.in Pogonip, (the open space lands on the left as you travel off campus on Coolidge Drive) a male attempted to sexually assault a female hiker/jogger. The description of the suspect – a Latino male, mid-twenties, 5'-2” to 5'-6”, weighing 140 pounds with brown hair, and possibly having a goatee, primarily Spanish-speaking – matches the description of an assailant who was reported to have sexually assaulted a female pedestrian two days later, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on the night of Monday, October 10, 2005, on the San Lorenzo River levee pathway near Highway 1.

The attempted Pogonip assault took place on a busy Saturday afternoon in broad daylight. All visitors to Pogonip are encouraged to be alert and aware and report any suspicious activity immediately by calling 911. Trail users who walk or jog alone should be aware that some of the trails, such as Pogonip Creek, Fern, Lookout and Limekiln Trails are more remote and less well traveled. The main trails, Spring, Brayshaw and Rincon, are often more well traveled.

REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING 911
 

Academic Year 2004-2005

September 20, 2004
On Early Sunday morning, at approximately 2:30 AM, a female adult resident of Santa Cruz was walking alone in the area of Broadway and San Lorenzo Blvd when the suspect, who was walking towards her from the downton area, grabbed her and threw her down. Based on statements and subsequent actions by the suspect, it was evident that the suspect intended to rape the victim. The victim fought back and thought that she might been able to scratch the the suspect's face. A neighbor heard the victim's screams, came out and scared the suspect away. The victim did not require medical attention.

The suspect is described as a white male adult, late 20s, short spiky hair, wearing a red and blue jacket and jeans. The suspect may have scratches on his face as a result of the victim being able to scratch his face with her fingernails.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is requesting information from anybody that might have knowledge of this incident, especially if they are aware of any similarly described males with scratches on their faces. For additional information, contact: Detective Sgt. Goodwin at (831) 420-5820 or you can leave ANONYMOUS information regarding this incident, please call our TIP LINE (831) 420-5995.

September 12, 2004
NOTICE: Subject Arrested on 9/22/2004
On Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at approximately 2:39 PM, a woman was in the McHenry Library at UCSC when a male subject came from behind, struck her on the side of her head and caused her to collapse to the floor. The suspect then put his hand down her pants and left when she screamed. Several witnesses tried to detain the subject but he struck one of them and displayed a knife to others.

The woman described the man as Hispanic, in his late 40's, about 5'-10” tall with a stocky/heavy build, black hair (short but thick and bushy), brown eyes and wearing a long sleeve navy blue button down shirt and blue jeans. He was last seen driving from the area in a black 1996 Ford Mustang, CA. 3SLX106.

If you have any information regarding this incident or the suspect, please contact UCSC PD Detective Terri Edwards at (831) 459-2889 or (831) 459-2231

Academic Year 2003-04

SEXUAL BATTERY
On Saturday, March 13, 2004, at approximately 12:10 PM, a woman was walking with her child on High Street near Western Drive when a man approached her and grabbed her buttocks. The man then ran away from the woman southbound on High Street.

The woman described the man as Hispanic, approximately 25 years old, about 5'4" or 5'5" tall with a stocky build, dark hair and dark eyes, dark complected, clean shaven, with no visible scars, marks or tattoos. He was wearing a dark blue cap with the brim forward and no logo or letter showing, a large white baggy crew sweatshirt with no writing, black jeans and black leather high top tennis shoes.

If you have any information regarding this incident or the suspect please contact Sgt. Brad Goodwin with the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820


KIDNAPPING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT 2/24/04
On Tuesday 2/24/04 between 2:30 and 2:45 pm, a female was kidnapped and sexually assaulted in the kidnappers van. The woman was walking in the Cliff Street and Third Street area when she was physically dragged into a brown full size van. One of the 3 occupants of the van raped her. They then drove to an unknown Street near Cabrillo College and allowed her to leave the van.

The suspects are described as 3 Latino males approximately 25 years old. The male that forced the woman into the van is described as approximately 6 feet 2 inches and 250 lbs. The male who sexually
assaulted the woman is reported to have thick or bushy eyebrows.

Please contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at 420-5820 or the anonymous Tip Line at 420-5995 if you have any information.


SEXUAL BATTERY
1/24/04: Between 7:15 and 7:30pm, a man described as Latino, between 25 and 30 years old with a thin build, sexually battered two women in the area of Walnut and Grover Avenues (near Santa Cruz High School). Anyone with any information is asked to contact the SCPD at 420-5820.


SEXUAL BATTERY
1/13/04: About 2:44 am, Tuesday January 13, three males confronted and groped a female in the vicinity of Barson Street and Ocean Street. The woman was returning home from downtown when the men confronted her. They are described as white males, 20-30 years old with shaved heads. The suspects do not appear to be related to the men in previous reports. The woman was able to get away without physical injury


ATTEMPTED RAPE
1/11/04: About 1:30 am, Sunday, January 11, a man attempted to rape a woman in the elevator of the Front Street Parking garage at Front Street and Soquel. The woman had met the man a very short while earlier. The man, described as a Latino male, 20-25 years old, about 5 foot, six inches high, wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt, baseball cap and blue denim pants, groped the woman, attempting to remove some of her clothes. She was able to get away without any physical injury.

This incident appears to be unrelated to other recently reported attempted sexual assaults.


ATTEMPTED RAPE ALERT!!!
1/2/04: On Friday January 2, at 1:45 in the afternoon, a man attacked a woman as she was getting into her car in the parking lot behind Logos Bookstore (1119 Pacific Avenue) Police are treating this as an attempted sexual assault.

The woman fought the man off and reported promptly to the police.

The suspect is described as white male 30-35 years, 5' 11'' to 6' tall with a full face dark brown beard. He was wearing a black beanie, black hooded sweatshirt, black knitted gloves with a ribbed wrist area and dark, stone washed blue jeans. He wore large, square-framed sunglasses.

For additional information contact Detective Ken Deeg at (831) 420-5838.

Anonymous information about the incident can be left at the police tip line at (831) 420-5995.

Police do not believe this assailant is the same man or men who attempted to rape the three women during September 2003 as described below.


Previous Attempted Rapes:
9/15: Possibly the same man as in the above description attempted to rape a third woman in the County Jail parking lot (opposite the County Building) at 9pm on Sunday September 7. The woman succesfully defended herself against the man who threatened her and tried to hold her down. The Santa Cruz Police Department asks anyone with any information to contact them at 420- 5820 or the anonymous tip line at 420-5995.

Women are encouraged to be on extra alert as well as consider taking a self-defense class, which are offered free on campus and in the community.

9/5/03: The man is described as a clean-shaven, bushy-haired either dark-skinned white or Latino male between 18 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches and 180 pounds. One women described him as "pudgy". As of this time no suspects have been arrested. Police have increased patrols in the area. (9/5/03)

9/1/03 and 9/2/03: A man attempted to rape two women in two separate locations near Pacific Avenue on Monday evening, September 1 and Tuesday morning September 2, 2003. Both women succesfully defended themselves against the assailant by yelling loudly and fighting him off. The first attempted rape occurred in the parking lot behind New Leaf Market on Pacific Avenue at 10pm. The man grabbed the women from behind and attempted to drag her to a secluded area. The second attempted rape was at 9am on the third level of the Locust Street parking garage.