Police Thank the Public For Alertness
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department arrested two more taggers on Monday after an alert citizen notified them of suspicious activity in the area of Brennan Street and East Fifth Street. Arrested were a 17-year-old juvenile and a 12-year-old juvenile.
At about 10:15 on Monday night, Watsonville Police received a call from a concerned citizen about suspicious activity happening in the area of Brennan and East Fifth. Police responded quickly and were in the area within minutes.
The first officer located two possible suspects in the area, but when he attempted to detain them they fled on foot. The officer was able to catch one of the suspects, and converging officers were able to catch up to the second suspect one block away from the initial call.
A search of the 17-year-old suspect revealed a loaded firearm concealed in his waistband, as well as an illegal knife. The Second suspect, the 12-year-old, was in possession of ammunition that matched that of the recovered firearm from the first suspect.
Both suspects had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Both were charged with possession of a concealed firearm, juvenile in possession of ammunition, actively participating in a criminal street gang and resisting arrest.
“Both were booked into the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall. This case highlights the importance of the public getting involved by call the police.” Watsonville Police Sergeant David Rodriguez wrote,“The names of the suspects will not be released because they are juveniles.”
Prior to this incident, another teen, Manuel Ortiz Perez, 19, was arrested by Watsonville Police near his apartment on Front Street and charged for vandalism with $5,000 damage or greater, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and resisting arrest. The 5’8″, 220 pound stereo installer was picked up at 3:45 in the afternoon on Sunday, December 20, and held in lieu of $25,000 bail. This location is about a mile from the other incident, and the two do not appear to be related.
