Police Arrest Three at Halloween Celebration
SANTA CRUZ—Thousands of Halloween revelers flooded Pacific Avenue to celebrate the holiday on Wednesday night in downtown Santa Cruz. That is why it was amazing that Santa Cruz authorities were able to identify and arrest three suspects: one with a gun and two others on drug charges.
Andrew Mora
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Santa Cruz Police Department with additional support during the Halloween celebration. Deputies with the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department made several arrests that evening.
Jeremy Murphy
Authorities arrested Salinas resident Andrew Alan Mora, 25, after they observed him loitering around the Pacific Garden Mall with other Halloween patrons. Mora, who is a known gang member, was arrested for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm. Deputies found the gun, a loaded .22 caliber, tucked in his waistband.
Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Deputies also arrested Jeremy Lee Murphy, 30, of Ben Lomond also at the Pacific Garden Mall. He was arrested after deputies found 1.0 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. He has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.
Billy Hill
Deputies also arrested 30-year-old Billy Raymond Hill of Santa Cruz for possession of methamphetamine and cocaine. At the time of his arrest Hill had in his possession five grams of methamphetamine.
All three subjects were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. Mora bail has been set at $55,000.00 dollars while both Murphy’s and Hill’s bails were set $10,000.00 dollars apiece.
“These arrests are a products of our deputies being diligent and talking with people,” Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Deputy April Skalland said. “ This comes from not being in patrol cars but walking the beat and being aware of things.”
The Santa Police Department reported that approximately 15,000 people visited downtown Santa Cruz as well as the Pacific Garden Mall on Halloween night. The Santa Cruz Police arrested 32 people on Halloween. A majority of those were for public intoxication. Overall, the Santa Cruz Police reported that arrests were down from 2011.
“We had a successful Halloween. We took care of the problems early so that people could enjoy a safe and fun holiday,” Skalland added.
Read More:
Santa Cruz Patch: Three Arrested in Downtown Halloween Celebration
