Janitor attacked in Boulder Creek park

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two young men suspected of attacking a Boulder Creek parks employee while he worked in Junction Park at 10:15 a.m. Monday, March 7.
According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District janitor Christian Kropp said he was caught at unawares and knocked down by two men between 18 and 25 years old, who hit him with a foot-long wooden dowel. Kropp had minor injuries, including cuts to his head according to the sheriff’s office.
One man wore a cowboy hat and a dark, long-sleeved shirt and the other was dressed all in dark clothing. Both stood about 6 feet tall and wore baggy pants, Kropp told deputies.
Nothing was said during the attack, and there were no witnesses, according to the sheriff’s office.
“It doesn’t appear to be provoked,” Sgt. Jim Ross said.
The attack followed two weeks after a news item in the Press-Banner discussed a restraining order Boulder Creek resident Denese Matthes filed against Kropp. The restraining order was denied, but it reinforced long-standing bad blood between Matthes and the recreation district.