License Plate Thief Escapes after Threatening to Kill Cops

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect in a recent burglary and robbery spree as 42-year-old transient Dimitri Storm.

Earlier this month, Storm stole a license plate from a Watsonville firefighter, then broke into a Soquel house and later a Scotts Valley area home, where he took a 1997 blue Ford Explorer.

He was later contacted by deputies of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, but he "threatened to kill the deputies, stating he had a gun," Deputy April Skalland said.

He was able to get away, and the Explorer was found abandoned in the area. 

Storm then stole a 2009 blue Toyota Highlander, California license plate 6JWB746.

He has a pattern of stealing license plates, then stealing cars and switching out the plates to disguise the vehicle, Skalland said. Storm is also thought to be targeting vacation rental homes. Deputies said they found brochures listing Santa Cruz area homes in his car and believe he may be targeting vacation rentals.

Investigators think Storm has recently shaved to change his appearance.

If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Storm or additional information as it relates to any of the burglaries or robbery, contact the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121.