PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

November 29, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Stratified Policing Approach Continues to be Successful

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department continues to see success using the principles of Stratified Policing to improve policing services, reduce crime and minimize the harm caused by offenders and maintain our positive relationship with our community.

Recently, while patrolling designated focus areas within our community, two SLCPD patrol sergeants made two separate arrests.

“These are just two examples of the great work our officers are doing to work with community members to help bring down crime and address the seriousness and complexity of ongoing drug crime in our city,” said Chief Mike Brown. “Our Stratified Policing approach continues to succeed in not only reducing crime but also strengthening relationships in our communities. Reducing crime is a team effort.  We want our community to call us when they have concerns.”

Incident #1

This investigation started at 11:56 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, when SLC911 received information from a community member about a person suspected of dealing illegal drugs near 145 North 900 West.

An SLCPD patrol sergeant responded to the area and found 45-year-old Hernan Cruz-Medina.

While speaking with Cruz-Medina, the sergeant saw what appeared to be drug packaging inside Cruz-Medina’s mouth.

In the presence of the officer, Cruz-Medina spit multiple packages containing heroin and cocaine from his mouth.

Officers safely took Cruz-Medina into custody.

Additional packages of heroin, methamphetamine, and oxycodone pills were also recovered.

In total, officers recovered 22 packages of cocaine, 31 packages of heroin, 34 pills of oxycodone, and cash.

Officers booked Cruz-Medina into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

A photo of the illegal drugs recovered is being released.

Incident #2

This investigation started at 2:48 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2022, when a SLCPD patrol sergeant was patrolling Liberty Park as part of the department’s Stratified Policing approach to proactively reduce crime.

The sergeant saw a car registered to Neno Yaranga. The officer confirmed Yaranga had active felony warrants.

Responding officers found Yaranga near his car and safely took him into custody.

During the investigation and vehicle impound process, officers recovered a distributable amount of marijuana and methamphetamine inside of the car.

Officers booked Yaranga into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Proof of Insurance, and multiple warrants.

A photo of the illegal drugs and paraphernalia recovered is being released.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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