High Speed Santa Cruz Co. Police Chase: Man Faces 8 Charges

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A man is facing a slew of charges after a high speed police chase up State Route 17 early Wednesday morning, police said.

Jason Anton Richardson, 38, is facing charges related to domestic violence, kidnapping, sexual battery, carjacking, making criminal threats, evading an officer and violating parole, police said.

The incident began around 4:30 a.m., when police headed to the 1600 block of West Cliff Drive after receiving a report of a physical fight between two people. Officers would later learn that a domestic incident preceded the altercation, police said.

Richardson took off and led the Santa Cruz Police Department and California Highway Patrol on a pursuit along northbound State Route 17, reaching 100 mph, police said. CHP disabled the car and Richardson was arrested.

Police spoke with the victim, who was hospitalized at Dominican Hospital, police said.

The investigation remains ongoing and detectives are searching for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Bridges at 831-420-5830 or the tip line at 831-420-5995.