Two people arrested in connection with recent shootings in Santa Cruz
Two people have been arrested in connection with recent shootings in Santa Cruz.
Police arrested Michael Day in Capitola after a traffic stop. He is a San Jose resident, but associates with people in the Santa Cruz County area.
Enrique Rocha of Watsonville was arrested at his home.
Both Day and Rocha were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. They are facing attempted homicide, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and participation in a criminal street gang charges.
Santa Cruz police say they have seen a spike in violence, and the department is investigating four shootings that have happened since July 21:
On July 21 at around 4:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired on Barson Street. There were no victims identified at the time of the investigation. On July 31 at around 4 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Santa Cruz Metro. Police found a victim, but those involved left the scene. On Aug. 3 at around 12:09 a.m., police responded to a report of a shooting on Chestnut Street. When officers got there, they said they found out it was an exchange of gunfire between two people. They found a man with non-life threatening injuries. On August 13 at around 11:19 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired on Pacific Avenue. When they arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound. The injury was non-life threatening.
Since July 21, detectives have been investigating the shootings. Investigators found two people of interest and obtained search warrants. On Aug. 12, police served the search warrants in Santa Cruz and San Jose where they found in each location. Police do not know if they are linked to the shootings.
On Aug. 14, police found a group of people drinking alcohol near Liebrandt Avenue and Beach Street. Officers arrested 19-year-old Cesar Corcoles on suspicion of weapon possession violations with a criminal street gang enhancement. They also said they arrested a juvenile male for an outstanding felony warrant, probation violation and possession of a loaded gun.
If you have any information about the incidents, you are asked to call Santa Cruz police investigations at 831-420-5820.
