Reward for information leading to an arrest in Aptos vandalism spree
The hunt for multiple suspects behind a vandalism spree heats up in Aptos and soon there will be a reward for information leading to an arrest. Top law enforcement officials in Santa Cruz County are calling on residents to share what they know and to remain vigilant.
About 130 people showed up to the Rio Sands Hotel on Thursday night, looking for answers to questions on last month’s crime spree. Detectives hoping to crack the case, are telling residents any information is helpful as they pursue new leads.
“I think it was sort of like a shock,it’s shocked people a lot,” said resident Fay Levinson.
Levinson said this is a wake up call for the Aptos community, typically a low-crime area in Santa Cruz County. In front of a packed audience, investigators explained residents could have done more in the early morning hours on Nov. 23, when 17 cars were vandalized and three more were set on fire. Many remembered hearing suspicious noises, but detectives said no one called 911.
“My wife had noted that she thought she heard somebody walking through the side of our house and he told me later in the day,” said resident Jack Brown.
One victim, who wants to be anonymous, said she’s still trying to fix the back window of her 1996 Volvo, after it was destroyed.
“It’s a sad wake up call for us because I think everybody in this community has always felt very very safe.”
Investigators said they’re sifting through some video surveillance footage and other evidence, but more information is needed.
“If you have small pieces of information that you may not think are important you really should call into the Sheriff’s office,” said Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell.
One resident offered to start a reward, putting up a $1,000. The sheriff’s department said it’ll match that, making it $2,000 with the hope a plea to the public, will yield positive results.
“Tonight alone, I’ve received five or six leads myself and I know the detective has a few other ones. So there are leads outstanding to work
on,” said Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart.
The sheriff’s department said it increased patrols in Aptos following this vandalism case and plans to continue those patrols for some amount of time.
