SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- As he sifted through boxes of evidence, Deputy Chief Steve Clark said that pile of evidence represents more than just a big arrest for the Santa Cruz Police Department.
"This was a great case for the investigation unit," said Clark.
The unit was working on this case before the tragedy that took the lives of Detective Elizabeth Butler and Sergeant Butch Baker.
"For them to be able to get back to work and to have a big win like this, take a burglar of this magnitude off the street," said Clark.
Clark called serial burglar Scott Russo a career criminal. With a rap sheet that dates back to 1992, all over Northern and Central California. Most recently Russo stole from three businesses in Santa Cruz. A surveillance photo caught Russo stealing a computer server back in January.
But he also went down the Central Coast to Pacific Grove and stole more servers there.
Then Monterey Police arrested Russo's girlfriend trying to sell stolen property at a flea market.
Using the new information Monterey Police gathered on Russo, Santa Cruz Police were led a the motel on Riverside Avenue on Monday, that's where they found Russo with an array of stolen items. Russo was arrested for the burglaries.
"A lot of that property consisted of electronic systems, specialized electronics like large commercial servers," said Clark.
And collectibles likes vinyl records and a very extensive stamp collection.
Among the property was the server pictured here with Russo back in January, and it now sits at the Santa Cruz Police Dept. Serving as a reminder that investigators are back on their game, the way their fallen investigators would want it.
"This was a good win for them," said Clark.
The Santa Cruz Police Department is hoping to reunite the owners with the recovered stolen property. Anyone that recognizes the records, stamp collection or anything pictured is asked to call the investigation unit at 831-420-5820
Call 831-420-5820 if you recognize the collection
Call 831-420-5820 if you recognize the collection
Call 831-420-5820 if you recognize the collection
Call 831-420-5820 if you recognize the collection
Call 831-420-5820 if you recognize the collection
