Santa Cruz detectives need help identifying suspected burglar

Santa Cruz police detectives need help identifying a man accused of burglarizing a business earlier this week.

According to police, the incident happened in the 400 block of Coral Street around 4 a.m. on March 17.

The business’s security cameras are helping solve the break-in. According to the president of the company, Roofscreen, three men broke into the business’s back yard and stole about $5,000 worth of product.

“They went into the backyard and loaded their truck up with some aluminum product that we had out in the yard,” Roofscreen President Ryan Bruce said.

Security footage shows one of the thieves looking directly into the camera as he climbs up a ladder.

“It makes our job much easier when people have good-quality security cameras that are directed to capture the face,” Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills said.

Bruce has plastered the still photo and security video on Facebook and ring.com, and it seems to be paying off. He’s already had someone reach out to him who thinks they saw one of the trucks involved in the robbery.

“He saw the truck, which is very distinctive on the side of it,” Bruce said. “Then the guy was on his way to work and sees the truck right in front of him.”

Roofscreen has four cameras set up around the business, which picked up the suspects. Santa Cruz PD said that increases their solvability rate.

“Determine how much effort we’re going to put on a case. So if there’s no forensic evidence, if there’s no video, how much effort are you going to put into that case? Versus one you’re probably going to be able to solve,” Mills said.

Mills said he is confident detectives will be able to catch the burglars thanks to the cameras and social media help.

If you have information regarding this suspect or vehicle, call 831-420-5820.