Sex offender walks onto a Santa Cruz campus, then arrested

A 25-year-old sex offender and transient was arrested after trying to get on the campus of Santa Cruz High School, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department.

The incident happened Tuesday, January 10th just after 12:30pm. Police say the coaching staff noticed the man, who was not a part of the school or its programs, walking into the gym. They immediately alerted campus security.

A campus supervisor followed the man until he was stopped a block away by an officer from the Santa Cruz Police Department, according to the press release issued Wednesday afternoon.

The man was identified as Daniel VanDoren, 25, a transient from Berkeley, California. Police say he was arrested for two warrants out of Nevada County, CA, including one for sexual conduct with a minor.

The Santa Cruz Police Department says safety and security measures were followed and that parents were notified of the incident and VanDoren’s arrest.

“The Police Department and Santa Cruz City Schools will continually evaluate the safety and security on school campuses and continue to build upon the sound protocols that are already in place,” stated the Santa Cruz Police Dept.

The case was sent to the District Attorney’s Office.