SANTA CRUZ POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A BATTERY THAT OCCURRED LATE LAST WEEK, IN A DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ PARKING STRUCTURE. A 24 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS OPENING HER CAR DOOR ON THE 2ND STORY OF THE PARKING GARAGE AT THE CORNER OF CEDAR STREET AND WALNUT AVENUE - WHEN A WHITE OR HISPANIC MALE TAPPED HER ON THE SHOULDER. WHEN THE WOMAN TURNED AROUND, THE SUSPECT PUSHED THE VICTIM INTO THE CAR - AND BEGAN CHOCKING AND PUNCHING HER. THE SUSPECT MADE NO COMMENTS, NOR DID HE ATTEMPT TO ROB OR SEXUALLY ASSAULT THE WOMAN. THE WOMAN WAS ABLE TO FIGHT BACK AND BREAK FREE. ANYONE WHO HAS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SANTA CRUZ POLICE.

A MONTH-LONG INVESTIGATION INTO CRYSTAL METHAMPETAMINE SALES CONDUCTED BY WATSONVILLE POLICE CULMINATED IN THREE ARRESTS. WHEN OFFICERS SERVED A NARCOTICS SEARCH WARRANT AT 1859 BEACH STREET, THEY FOUND 7 GRAMS OF CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE AND NARCOTICS PACKAGING MATERIALS. 26 YEAR OLD RAUL JIMENEZ WAS ARRESTED FOR 3 DRUG-RELATED CHARGES, 20 YEAR OLD JOSE GARCIA AND 20 YEAR OLD HUGO RIVERA WERE BOTH ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE. ALL THREE MEN WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL.

WATSONVILLE POLICE RESPONDED TO AN ARMED ROBBERY ON SATURDAY NIGHT ON FREEDOM BOULEVARD. THE CLERK AT OLYMPIAN FUEL REPORTED THAT TWO SUSPECTS OF UNKNOWN AGES ENTERED THE STORE WEARING SKI MASKS AND CARRYING AUTOMATIC PISTOLS. THE SUBJECTS, BOTH REPORTED AS HISPANIC MALES, THREATENED TO SHOOT THE CLERK AND DEMANDED MONEY. THE CLERK EMPTIED THE CASH REGISTER AND THE SUBJECTS FLED THE SCENE. OFFICERS SEARCHED THE AREA, BUT THE ROBBERS WERE NOT LOCATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

MOST PEOPLE WILL BE CASTING THEIR VOTES ON TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK, BUT SOME SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN A JUMPSTART ON VOTING. ACCORDING TO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CLERK GAIL PELLERIN, MORE THAN 31 THOUSAND RESIDENTS HAVE VOTED EARLY OR USED ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO CAST THEIR VOTE. EARLY VOTING IS AVAILABLE TODAY (MONDAY) FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM AT THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER ON OCEAN STREET IN SANTA CRUZ OR AT THE WATSONVILLE CITY HALL ON MAIN STREET IN WATSONVILLE. VOTERS WHO ARE VOTING BY MAIL ARE ALSO ADVISED TO DROP BALLOTS OFF IN THE WHITE MAILBOX OUTSIDE THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER INSTEAD OF MAILING THEM IF CASTING THEM ON MONDAY.