Santa Cruz police arrested several people on the Westside last Thursday on charges including attempted murder and weapons possession, officials said via social media.
Two Santa Cruz Police Department officers arrived at the corner of West Cliff Drive and John Street. Officers spoke with a group of nine individuals at the scene as they were investigating gang-related activities, SCPD said.
While members of the group were speaking to police, a handgun fell from the waistband of a juvenile. A subsequent police search of the other individuals turned up various weapons, including a long machete, metal knuckles and knives.
Officers made four arrests:
- One man, Deleono Dean-Anthony, was served a SCPD Ramey warrant and arrested for attempted murder. The department did not provide more information on the case.
- Another man, Stephen Sarmiento, was arrested for carrying a concealed dagger after a long machete in a sheath was found shoved down the front of his pants.
- One juvenile was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
- One juvenile was searched per his probation terms and arrested for possession of brass knuckles, which were found in their pocket.
“We understand that gang activity and graffiti around the city have been a rising concern in the community,” the Santa Cruz Police Department wrote in the social media post about the incident. “Our mission is to be proactive in searching for people involved in cases in the community to prevent these gang-related crimes from occurring.”
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