Capitola Police Arrest Two Auto Burglars
CAPITOLA—A citizen complaint led Capitola Police Department to arrest two Santa Cruz County residents on suspicion of auto burglary. Arrested were John Joseph Chulian, 34, of Soquel and Melissa Ann Bica, 19 of Santa Cruz.
John Chulian
The complaint was filed on Tuesday August 21 after a business owner had called about two people that appeared to be living in their car parked in his private parking lot on 41st Avenue in Capitola.
When officers arrived they made contact with both Chulian and Bica and determined that the two were both on probation and therefore subject to searches. Officers conducted a search and found numerous items in the couple’s possession that were linked to auto burglaries in Santa Cruz.
“There was so much stuff in their vehicle that we are still, 24-hours later, going through the vehicle and finding stolen property,” Capitola Police Detective Sarah Ryan said. “We are happy that people are coming forward and are claiming their stuff but we would like more to come forward.”
Melissa Ann Bica
There are 19 known victims but authorities fear that there will be more as citizens come forward and report the burglaries. The police are concentrating their efforts on the 41st avenue area as the activity in the area has increased. “That area is extremely busy with all the business and activity that goes on in the area and adjacent to there is a residential area on 42nd street,” Detective Ryan added.
Capitola Police believe that the items found in the couples vehicle could be linked to other burglaries in Scotts Valley and other areas of Santa Cruz County as well as Santa Clara County. Beside the stolen items police also found heroin and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
Both Chulian and Bica were booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia that included some heroin.
The Capitola Police Department is still actively investigating this case. They are asking anyone that has information to call the Capitola Police Department at 831-475-4242.
Read More:
Santa Cruz Sentinel: Two Arrested for Stolen Property Linked to Auto Burglaries Throughout the County
