Public help leads to arrest of Santa Cruz Burglar

Thanks to a tip from the public, a home burglary suspect, Efrain Berulas, 49, was arrested by the Santa Cruz Police Department. On December 5, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Berulas was caught by video surveillance inside of the victims’ home. When the victims returned home the next day, they discovered the home had been burglarized. The suspect took electronics and tools while ransacking the home. The arrest was made on Thursday December 10, at approximately 11:00 a.m. Berulas was taken into custody without incident.
On Wednesday, December 9, the Santa Cruz Police Department released surveillance photos and video to the public asking for help in identifying a burglary suspect. As a result, a tip about the suspect aided investigators in identifying Efrain Berulas.
“Berulas initially identified himself as Francisco Rosas. His true identity was discovered after his arrest. Investigators learned Berulas was a convicted felon who had previously been deported. He had also been previously convicted of burglary stemming from a 2001 case,” said Joyce Blaschke, Santa Cruz Police, spokeswoman.
Detectives served a search warrant at Berulas’ 42nd Avenue home. During the search, detectives recovered stolen property belonging to the burglary victim including electronics and tools. Detectives also recovered a shotgun and SKS rifle. Berulas has been charged with burglary, felony possession of a firearm and giving false identification to a police officer.
The Santa Cruz Police Department would like to thank the community for their support in identifying Berulas. Within a day investigators were able to identify and locate the suspect, Efrain Berulas, due to the tip received.