Serial Burglar Arrested in Santa Cruz
Suspect maybe responsible for other burglaries on the Central Coast
SANTA CRUZ—Detectives with the Santa Cruz Police Department made an arrest in a three month old burglary investigation. They arrested 39-year-old Monterey and Santa Cruz resident Scott Dean Russo at a hotel in Santa Cruz.
Scott Russo
Investigators used informants to developed solid leads on Russo’s location. The information led them to the Beach Way Inn on Riverside Avenue in Santa Cruz where they found Russo in a hotel room.
Authorities conducted a probation search and found that Russo was in possession of hundreds of stolen items from burglaries through out the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Areas.
Russo was even in possession of the stolen computer server that he was caught on surveillance footage with during the January burglary of an Information Technology Service Firm. Investigators also found that he had laptops, hard drives, cell phones, woman’s clothing and shoes, vinyl LP albums, along with bicycles and sports trading cards in the hotel room.
“Mr. Russo admitted to us that he took some of the stolen items and sold them at the flea market,” Steve Clerk, Deputy Chief of the Santa Cruz Police said. “He does have an extensive criminal history dating back to 1992 for burglary and drug related charges.”
Most of the crimes occurred in Monterey County but were a few were in Walnut Creek and the Concord areas. Investigators are still sorting through the stolen property to identify additional victims. They are working with neighboring agencies to develop new leads to open cases.
Russo was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of second-degree burglary, receiving known stolen property over $950.00 and possession of a controlled substance. His bail has been set at $150,000.00.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-420-5820.
Read More:
Santa Cruz Patch: Santa Cruz Police Arrest Suspected Burglar
Times Publishing Group: Burglary Suspect Arrested
