Crime & Safety
Skateboard Assault Suspect ID'd As Santa Rosa Man
Police arrested the man who allegedly assaulted an employee with a skateboard at the Outdoor World store in Santa Cruz in April.
SANTA CRUZ, CA — A suspect who assaulted an employee with a skateboard at the Outdoor World store in Santa Cruz in April has been identified and arrested, according to police. Santa Cruz police said in a Facebook post published Wednesday night that a tip from a community member helped officers identify the suspect shown in surveillance footage as Santa Rosa resident Joshua Erwin, 29.
A police sergeant located and detained Erwin on the west river levee near Cathcart Street last weekend, officers said. Around 6:50 p.m. on April 22, Erwin allegedly entered the store on River Street and was stealing items when an employee asked him to return them. During the confrontation, Erwin threatened and struck the man with the skateboard he walked in carrying.
Erwin was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and theft. Santa Cruz police thanked their "Facebook force" for coming together to find the suspect responsible for the assault.
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By Bay City News
Photo courtesy Santa Cruz Police Department