Homeless Man Beaten to Death

by Daniel Miranda , November 21, 2012

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz Police Department arrested five members of a homeless community for their involvement in the homicide death of 51-year-old Charles Powers, who was part of their encampment.

Jeremiah Long

Friday night, the Santa Cruz Police Department responded to a disturbance at a homeless encampment that was located just south of Depot Park. When police got there they located a non-responsive Powers. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene and investigators ruled his death a homicide.

Investigators with the Santa Cruz Police Department believe that an altercation had taken place before the homicide occurred. It is believed that Powers was beaten unconscious with a skateboard until he died.

An investigation led police to arrest 26-year-old Santa Cruz transient Jeremiah Long on Saturday morning. They were able to arrest 21-year-old Shaelyn Gonzales and 41-year-old Michael Hudson, both Santa Cruz transients, after their investigation led to them on Sunday afternoon. On Monday, police were led to two more additional suspects, 41-year–old Tina Anderson and 31-year-old Jason Weiland.

“Our investigators are working diligently on this case,” Santa Cruz Police Department Spokesperson Zach Friends said. “That is why we have five people charged in this case already.”

Police believed that the altercation occurred as a result of one of the women being mistreated at the camp. All suspects had acquaintance with the Santa Cruz Police Department in the past.

All five suspects are sitting in the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges arranging from conspiracy to commit murder to second-degree murder and murder. Their bails arrange from $900,000 to $750,000.

The Santa Cruz Police are still actively investigating this case and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 1-831-420-5820. Tips can also be made through their website.

San Jose Mercury News: Man Found in Homeless Camp was Beaten to Death

San Francisco Chronicle: Possible Homicide at Santa Cruz Campsite

Homeless Man Beaten to Death was last modified: January 11th, 2019 by admin