2 Santa Cruz Men Arrested For Alleged Armed Robbery

(-images of Aaron Abeyta, George Karagianoupulos via Santa Cruz police)

SANTA CRUZ - Two men were arrested Friday in Santa Cruz after allegedly robbing and attacking two victims on Trinity Street.

Aaron Abeyta, a 36-year-old Santa Cruz resident, and 34-year-old George Karagianoupulos, also from Santa Cruz, were arrested for committing an armed robbery with a knife and attempting to “slash” one of the victims as they made off with his wallet, ID, social security card and cash, according to police.

Santa Cruz police say officers responded just after midnight on Friday, June 24 to the 100 block of Trinity Street for a reported armed robbery at knifepoint.

According to police, two Hispanic men 22 and 21 years old were walking home when they noticed an older white Honda speeding towards them.

Police say the Honda stopped and Karagianoupulos, the driver, called out asking what gang affiliation they claimed.

Santa Cruz police say the pair replied that they were not gang members.

According to police, at that point Abeyta and Karagianoupulos got out of the car. Karagianoupulos confronted the victims with a knife and demanded they empty their pockets.

The victims handed over their belongings that included a wallet, ID and credit cards.

Santa Cruz police say while one of the men was complying, Karagianoupulos punched the other man in the face.

The suspects then got back into the car and sped away down Leibrandt towards Riverside Ave.

Santa Cruz police say with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, officers quickly caught up with the 1997 Honda Accord and arrested both suspects on Water Street. The stolen property and knife were recovered.