Pipe Bomb Explosion & Carjacking Make for Busy Shift for Santa Cruz Police

Santa Cruz, CA…In a 10 hour shift, SCPD responded to 120 calls for service; yesterday’s shift highlight included a pipe bomb explosion and carjacking.

Pipe Bomb Explosion | Saturday, October 2, 2021, approximately 6:51 pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to an explosion in the 300 Block of La Fonda Officers later located a makeshift pipe bomb stuck into the chain-link fencing on the baseball field of Harbor High School. We called out the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad to help us rendered this explosive safe. Additionally, a reverse 911 was issued to the residence in the area.

Carjacking Suspect in Custody | Saturday, October 2, 2021, approximately 10:27 pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to the 200 Block of Riverside Avenue. for a carjacking. The victim was listening to music in his car when two suspects approached his vehicle and demanded that he get out. The suspects then pepper-sprayed the victim during the carjacking.

Officer Silas spotted the suspects traveling eastbound on San Lorenzo Blvd. and Bixby Street and pursued the vehicle to Eaton St. and 8th Ave., where they crashed into a parked vehicle.

SCPD quickly set up a perimeter and requested assistance froth the Sheriff’s Office to conduct a yard to yard search. A Deputy located the suspect driver, later identified as Dylan Elias-Berg, 18 years old from Sacramento. Mr. Elias-Berg was arrested for carjacking and felony evading.

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to encourage community members to be partners in public safety. Dial 911 to report emergencies. (831) 471- 1131 for non-emergencies. Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or send us a tip online.