Home Owner Interrupts Burglary In Progress
Suspect caught on video
SANTA CRUZ—Authorities with the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department are looking for an armed suspect that may be part of robbery/burglary crime spree after he was found exiting a home on the 3800 block of Chardonnay Road in Santa Cruz.
3800 Chardonnay Road
The homeowner spotted the suspect as he drove up to his residence. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, but dropped the gym bag that he was carrying while fleeing the scene.
As the suspect proceeded to get into a silver Lexus, the victim was able to smash the front window by throwing a glass bottle at the vehicle. The suspect got away but the fast-thinking victim snapped a picture of the car and the license plate as he drove away.
It was later discovered that the Lexus was stolen and the license plate on the back of the vehicle was also reported stolen.
The suspect was described as a white male adult, about 5-foot-9 inches tall, with a small beard, wearing shorts, a black hooded sweatshirt and a black beanie.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department along with the California Highway Patrol set up a perimeter in the area. But the suspect was able to elude police by stealing a 1997 light blue Ford Explorer, with California License plate 3TIC192 from a home on Hall Ranch Road.
Forty minutes into the ordeal, authorities received word from the victim that his Ford Explorer was missing and another vehicle was left behind. Responding deputies confirmed that the vehicle was indeed the stolen Lexus.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Department were able to make a connection between this incident and a string of auto burglaries that had occurred in Ben Lomond between March 31 and April 1, 2013.
Authorities have recovered surveillance video of a suspect burglarizing two vehicles in Ben Lomond.
“We know that the suspects in the two incident are connected.” Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Deputy April Skalland said, “We do not know if they are the same person.”
The Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or any other information as it relates to the burglaries or robbery to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 831-454-2311
Press Release YouTube video of Vehicle Burglary – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqu0KbOLjx4
Read More:
Santa Cruz Sentinel: Armed Robbery Suspect Accused in Ben Lomond Burglary
