Santa Cruz Crime Spike Prompts Police Reward Offers
SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) - The Santa Cruz Police Department is offering $12,500 in rewards for information on three crimes -- a murder, an attempted murder and a violent armed robbery -- that happened over a four-day span earlier this month.
$5,000 is being offered in connection to the February, 9 killing of Pauly Silva, 32, who was shot four times in downtown, according to police.
Another $5,000 reward is available for information on the suspect who shot a University of California at Santa Cruz student in the head during a robbery at a bus stop on Natural Bridges Drive near Delaware Street on February 11.
The bullet lodged in her skull, but surgeons removed it and the victim is expected to make a full recovery, police said.
And a reward of $2,500 has been offered for information about two male suspects who robbed a Food Bin store on Mission Street, one armed with a rifle and the other with a large knife, on February 13.
The suspects ordered everyone in the store to lie on the floor, and one of the men kicked a patron in the face during the robbery. They stole cash from the business and an iPad and iPod from one of the customers.
The reward money has been provided by the Police Department's Community Care Fund, which accepts donations from the public, police said.
Police said those seeking more information about the rewards may call Deputy Chief Steve Clark at (831) 420-5815.
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