5 Arrested For Assault With Deadly Weapon, Robbery In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Five men were arrested after an armed robbery in Santa Cruz on Saturday that left a 50-year-old man with head injuries and a bullet graze wound. Police identified the suspects as Bryce Bertao, 19, and Roberto Ramirez, 23, of Watsonville, Juan Escobar, 21, of Castroville, De'maria Strong, 19, of Salinas, and John Zarate, 22, of Freedom.

Santa Cruz police responded at 5:50 p.m. to a parking lot in the 700 block of West Cliff Drive, where the 50-year-old man was found with cuts to his head as well as a graze wound caused by a gunshot, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Police said the five men attacked the victim, demanded his property and struck him repeatedly in the head.
One of the suspects fired a weapon at the victim and grazed his head with a bullet, police said. Several witnesses gave police a description of the suspects, the vehicle and a license plate number, police said.

Police later pulled over a silver BMW near Harvey West Park and all five men were taken into custody for questioning. Police located some of the victim's property in the vehicle and returned it to him. The potential charges include armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch