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Suspect arrested in sexual assault investigation on Effey Street in Santa Cruz

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July 3, 2025 6:43 PM
Published 12:05 PM

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) - A suspect was arrested last night in connection with a sexual assault on Effey Street in Santa Cruz.

According to the Santa Cruz Police Department, the suspect was arrested in Ben Lomond without incident around 8 p.m. on July 2.

The assault happened around 11 p.m. on July 1, with the victim awaking to the suspect assaulting them. After screaming, the suspect left the victim's home, with the victim calling 911 immediately after.

A male suspect was arrested in Ben Lomond without incident in connection with the July 1 sexual assault. Courtesy: Santa Cruz Police Deparment

"The Santa Cruz Police Department would like to thank our survivor for her strength and partnership, the Seabright neighborhood for their concern and patience, our Santa Cruz officers for their diligence, and the Capitola Police Department and Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office for their assistance," said Santa Cruz Police Deputy Chief Garcia.

Police noted that when searching for the suspect, he had recently moved into the Seabright area and may have hidden in his residence during the first search for the suspect.

Santa Cruz Police seek suspect in sexual assault investigation

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) - The Santa Cruz Police Department is looking for a suspect in a sexual assault that happened on July 1.

According to the Santa Cruz Police Department, the assault happened in the Effey Street area, with a victim waking up to find the suspect sexually assaulting them.

The suspect left when the victim screamed, with the victim calling 911 immediately after. The suspect was seen jumping a fence, heading toward Broadway.

Officers soon searched for the suspect between Effey and Broadway and from Cayuga to Seabright.

The suspect is described as a white adult male, 6 feet tall with a thin build and long blonde hair. They were last seen wearing a plaid flannel or jacket, a tie-dye shirt, and grey pants.

Those who may know the suspect and their whereabouts are being asked to contact Investigations Sergeant Trog at [email protected]

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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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