1 Suspect Remains At Large In Capitola Auto Heist

CAPITOLA - Capitola Police continue to search for the last remaining suspect involved in a multi-car auto heist from Santa Cruz Toyota/Mazda/Suburu in Capitola last week.

Police have identified 18-year-old Billy Claiborne as the fifth suspect in a scheme with four others who successfully stole five cars from the dealership at 4100 Auto Plaza Drive on Thursday, March 24.

According to Capitola Police, Claiborne and the four suspects - identified as 18-year-old Cruz Gabriel Abel, 18-year-old Taylor Marie Fawcett, 19-year-old Lucas Bucio and an unnamed 17-year-old juvenile - broke onto the dealership lot about 4:30 a.m. by lifting a security gate off its hinges and drove off with the vehicles.

Police say the next day, March 25, one of the stolen vehicles, a 2015 Dodge Ram valued at $52,000, was located in Santa Cruz at the Santa Cruz Inn on Soquel Avenue.

Two of the vehicles were recovered on March 26 by Sacramento Police, who arrested Abel and Bucio, according to authorities.

The last two vehicles were recovered March 27 by the Sacramento Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrested Fawcett and the juvenile that day.

Billy Claiborne remains the last suspect in the caper. Police believe all suspects have ties to the Sacramento area.

If you see Claiborne, or have other information about the case, you're urged to call the Capitola Police Tip Line at (831) 475-2791.