Crime & Safety

Resident Finds Burglar Inside His Santa Cruz County Home

Samuel Beltran, 39, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, outstanding warrants and a probation violation.​​

Samuel Beltran during his arrest by Santa Cruz County deputies.
Samuel Beltran during his arrest by Santa Cruz County deputies. (SCCSO)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A fast-thinking Santa Cruz County resident helped capture a suspected burglar he found inside his Soquel San Jose Road home early Monday morning.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, the resident walked into his kitchen to find a man wearing black gloves and walking around. As the suspect took off, the resident snapped a photo of him and his vehicle, then called 911.

The burglar didn’t get far, according to the SCCSO. Deputies spotted the suspect vehicle in the Hilltop Road neighborhood. They stopped the vehicle and arrested 39-year-old Samuel Beltran on suspicion of burglary, outstanding warrants and a probation violation.

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