Crime & Safety
Fugitive Friday: Capitola-Soquel, Jan. 6
Help local law enforcement catch these criminals.
Local law enforcement agencies have come together and are asking for the public's help in locating some of the county's most wanted. Have you seen any of this week's fugitives? If so, contact your local law enforcement agency.
CAPITOLA POLICE
Gerardo Martinez
AGE: 26
DESCRIPTION: 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes
HOME: Santa Cruz County
WARRANT: Grand theft, possession of heroin and giving false ID to a police officer. Martinez has also used the names: Gerardo Gomez and Gerardo Lopez. He has three felony arrest warrants and his probation is revoked.
WATSONVILLE POLICE
Gilberto Balderas
AGE: 38
DESCRIPTION: 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes
HOME: Watsonville
WARRANT: Child molestation. He was arrested but later didn't show up for court.
Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
SANTA CRUZ POLICE
Juan Mendoza Cruz
AGE: 25
DESCRIPTION: 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes
HOME: Transient
WARRANT: Carrying a loaded firearm, resisting arrest and a gang enhancement. Cruz is a known and documented gang member. In 2010, Cruz was carrying a concealed and loaded firearm when he was stopped by Santa Cruz Police Department. He resisted arrest and was able to evade police. Cruz is considered armed and dangerous.
SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Jason Russell Howe
AGE: 43
DESCRIPTION: 6 feet tall and 190 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes
HOME: Aptos
WARRANT: Assault with a deadly weapon.
Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
SCOTTS VALLEY POLICE
Qiuying Zhang
AGE: 63
DESCRIPTION: 5 feet, 4 inches tall and 355 pounds with black hair and black eyes
HOME: Scotts Valley
WARRANT: Prostitution. Zhang was arrested for soliciting prostitution and failed to appear for court.
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