Home Burglar Who Threatened Victim With Bat Nabbed: Police

SANTA CRUZ, CA – A 34-year-old man was arrested after a purported confrontation with a baseball bat during a home break-in Monday in Santa Cruz, according to officials.

Police were called at about 4:14 p.m. to a home on Bay Street, after a suspect allegedly broke into a garage while the residents were home, the Santa Cruz Police Department said.

"The wife encountered the suspect when he exited the garage," police said. "The suspect then raised an aluminum baseball bat above the woman's head and threatened to hit her if she did not get out of the way."

The suspect, later identified as Paul Gross from West Virginia, rode away with the metal bat from the scene on a stolen white bicycle, but due to the victims' "excellent description" was apprehended a couple of blocks away, police said.

Gross was arrested for suspicion of residential burglary and robbery.

"Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood," the department said. "We are dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family."

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--Images via SCPD