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In This Issue...
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Crime Beat
July 11, 2006 - August 7, 2006
Soquel
Friday, June 23
8 a.m.
Ironwood Drive
Three-year-old Boy Ejected From Runaway Vehicle
A three-year-old Soquel boy crawled into his parent’s 2003 Chevy Tahoe through the rear compartment of the vehicle. An investigation by the California Highway Patrol showed that the child had taken the vehicle’s keys from the house while his father was busy with the boy’s sibling.
After the boy entered the Chevy, he apparently crawled into the driver’s seat, put the keys into the ignition and turned the ignition into the start position. The child then managed to place the gearshift into “Drive,” sending the Chevy down a steep driveway at the residence. As a result, the Chevy overturned and ejected the boy approximately 20 feet from the vehicle.
A few minutes after the crash, the boy’s father exited his residence when he heard his child crying. He quickly located the Chevy and his child at the bottom of the driveway. Emergency crews responded to the scene and found the child had suffered moderate injuries. He was transported to Dominican Hospital. The boy’s injuries did not appear to be life threatening. “The California Highway Patrol urges parents to secure their car keys and to keep their vehicles locked at all times,” said Officer Grant Boles. This collision is still under investigation.
Live Oak
Monday, June 26
11:40 p.m.
Bulb Avenue near Rey Court
Vehicular Manslaughter, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Driving Under the Influence, Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Estella Cooke, 43, from Santa Cruz was killed while riding on the hood of a 2003 Toyota. Carol Halpin, age 33, of Santa Cruz was driving the 2003 Toyota on Bulb Avenue in the Rey Court area. Halpin and Cooke were engaged in an argument over the ownership of the car. A preliminary investigation by the California Highway Patrol shows that Cooke climbed onto the hood of the Toyota as Halpin got into the car to leave. Halpin drove with the victim on the hood for several seconds before making a turn, causing the victim to fall off of the moving vehicle. Halpin fled the scene after the incident and was located at a residence on Portola Drive two hours later by CHP officers. Halpin was arrested and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for various felony charges; her bail has been set at $50,000. This incident remains under investigation while California Highway Patrol officers determine whether or not Halpin intentionally caused Cooke to fall from the moving vehicle.
Capitola
Wednesday, June 28
Approximately 3 a.m.
1925 46th Avenue
Rash of Vehicle Burglaries
Capitola Police Officers responded to the scene after receiving a report of a vehicle burglary in progress. An eyewitness at the scene had reportedly observed three male suspects breaking into parked vehicles. The three suspects fled the scene in a white car heading eastbound onto Clares Street. The witness at the scene was able to obtain a partial license plate number of the suspect vehicle. Four victims had their vehicles broken into and Capitola Police believe the burglaries are all related. Detectives have leads and are actively pursuing arrests in this case.
Capitola
Wednesday, June 28
11:33 p.m.
2000 Block of Edmund Lane
Burglary, Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
Capitola Police officers responded to the scene after the victim’s daughter and boyfriend broke into her home.
The boyfriend, Jose Antonio Vargas, age 30, of Watsonville claimed that a man with a gun was chasing him. When officers arrived on scene they found no evidence of anyone in the area with a gun. Vargas was hiding inside a closet in the residence. Vargas was questioned by authorities and arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Capitola
Tuesday, July 4
10:10 p.m.
Park Avenue at Grove Lane
Possession of Fireworks,
Disorderly Conduct due to Alcohol
Andrew Watts, age 20, was arrested by a patrol officer after the officer observed Watts and a group of friends lighting off illegal fireworks.
When Watts was approached by the officer, his friends left the area. The officer attempted to issue Watts a citation for discharging the fireworks. Watts was intoxicated at the time of the altercation and refused to sign the citation. Watts was subsequently arrested and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail.
Capitola
Wednesday, July 5
1:20 a.m.
Capitola Main Beach
Possession of a
Concealed Weapon
Capitola Police officers were in the process of clearing the beach of holiday revelers when they came across a group of five adults and one juvenile. Officers noticed an open black duffle bag that contained a vast quantity of illegal fireworks. While they examined the illegal fireworks, officers found a loaded .357 Magnum in the duffle bag.
Joseph Merak Arriola, 22, from Hayward, was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon. Further investigation found a 12-guage shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle in Arriola’s vehicle.
Live Oak
Wednesday, July 5
4:45 p.m.
979 17th Avenue
Simpkins Swim Center at Schwan Lake Park
Wildland Fire
Central Fire Protection District crews responded to a reported wildland fire that burned across more than one and one half acres of high grass and dry bush near the Schwan Lake lagoon. Over a dozen firefighters manning four engines, one water tender and hand tools contained the fire within 15 to 20 minutes. No buildings were threatened.
Witnesses on the scene reported seeing approximately six juveniles leaving the area prior to the fire. Central Fire Protection District Fire Inspector Mike DeMars said, “The fire was suspicious and remains under investigation.”
Santa Cruz
Thursday, July 6
Failure to Register
as a Sex Offender
Sheriff’s Detectives arrested Douglas Mullins, aka Douglas Burnett, after detectives conducted sex offender compliance checks at a local apartment complex. Mullins was found residing at the complex and he neglected to notify law enforcement of his move. Mullins had registered with the Santa Cruz Police Department in December 2005, but failed to register with the Sheriff’s office upon moving in April 2006. Sex offenders are required to register within five days of moving.
Mullins is required to register as a sex offender due to a felony child molestation conviction in August 2000. The felony involved a 12-year-old female. Mullins was the girl’s foster parent and had videotaped sex acts with the child.
Mullins fled the County when the tape was discovered. After an Amber Alert was issued Mullins was apprehended with the help of a citizen. Mullins was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison. He was paroled in July 2005.
Mullins was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on $110,000 bail with a no-bail parole hold. In addition to the felony violation of sex offender registration, Mullins was also booked on the enhancements of having a prior prison term and of having a prior felony strike.
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