Santa Cruz Critical Incident Arrest March 30, 2021-Case# 21S-01850

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

March 31, 2021

DATE/TIME: March 30, 2021 1:23 p.m. TOPIC: Critical Incident Arrest

LOCATION: 200 block of Felix St. CASE NUMBER: 21S-01850

INVOLVED SUBJECT(S)

VICTIM(S)

Name: Withheld

SUSPECT(S)

Name: Jesse James Higdon D.O.B.: 04/08/1982 Arrest: Yes

Charges: 422 PC-Criminal Threats, 245(a)(2) PC Assault with a Deadly Weapon (firearm)236 PC-False Imprisonment, and 242 PC-Battery

INFORMATION

On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at approximately 1:23 p.m., Santa Cruz Police Department Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Felix St. for a call of domestic disturbance and battery. When officers arrived on scene it was determined that the suspect had brandished a semi-automatic handgun during the course a physical altercation in which he pointed it at the victim threatening to kill him. The suspect was later identified as 38 year-old Jesse James Higdon of Santa Cruz County. The victim was a friend of the Felix St. resident who were both able to escape without injury.

Early on in the investigation, it was unclear if Higdon retreated into the victim’s unsecured residence or fled into the surrounding neighborhood. In an abundance of caution, neighboring residents were ordered to shelter-in-place, surrounding streets were closed, and school campuses were placed on precautionary lockdown.

Additional SCPD personnel responded to the scene to contain the incident and locate Higdon. Officers and negotiators assigned as part of the SCPD Emergency Services Unit also responded to assist with a safe resolution. During the course of the incident, SCPD detectives discovered Higdon’s whereabouts were elsewhere, at which time efforts were diverted in attempt to locate and apprehend Higdon.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. Higdon was spotted in the 100 block of Golf Club Drive. An arrest team contacted Higdon and safely took him into custody. Higdon was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and battery

The case remains under investigation as detectives collect and process additional evidence.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking anyone with information about this case to contact Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Section at (831) 420-5820 or leave information on the Crime Tip Line at (831) 420-5995.

Critical Incident Arrest March 30, 2021-Case# 21S-01850

For additional information, contact: Lieutenant Arnold Vasquez. Phone: (831) 420-5856

Anonymous tips can also be sent to the police department through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995, or from our Website; www.santacruzpolice.com.

This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.