Ian MacFarland (L) and Cristina Nikolaou (R)
APTOS — Santa Cruz County deputies have arrested a local couple after finding loaded weapons and multiple rounds of ammunition in their possession during a welfare check. Arrested are 32-year-old Ian MacFarland and 28-year-old Cristina Nikolau on charges of possession of burglary tools and unlawful paraphernalia.
On Easter Sunday at about 4 PM, a concerned citizen contacted police to report that the couple had potentially been sleeping in their van for a number of days in the Willowbrook Park area.
Once on scene, deputies contacted the couple and noticed items in their vehicle that appeared to suggest the use of drugs. After searching the van, they discovered a black rifle case containing a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle, two additional magazines, and a camouflage flak jacket.
Police also found a professional locksmith kit and an undisclosed amount of heroin.
The couple were also towing another vehicle, which turned out to have contained an antique handgun and thirteen loaded thirty round magazines amidst a large amount of ammunition.
MacFarland was arrested for a variety of weapons charges and possession of narcotics, while Nikolaou was arrested for possession of narcotics; both in addition to the charges mentioned above.
MacFarland’s bail has been set at $25,000 and Nikolaou’s at $500.
