Hit-And-Run Suspect Arrested In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A Santa Cruz-area man was arrested at his home on Saturday night after a hit-and-run crash, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said. Austin Clary, 35, was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of numerous offenses, including DUI, hit-and-run, battery against a peace officer, and making criminal threats, according to CHP spokesperson Officer Trista Drake.

Officers were called at 9:10 p.m. for a report of a hit-and-run collision with the suspect vehicle described as a lifted Ford pickup truck fleeing to a residence on Capitola Road near Seventh Avenue just east of the
city of Santa Cruz. When officers arrived to the address, Clary was in his driveway by his truck, Drake said.

Clary told officers that he was going to retrieve a gun from inside his house and then he would talk to them, but instead he fled into his home and prevented entry, according to the CHP. Multiple CHP officers and Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and secured the roads for the sake of the public.

Santa Cruz police were called and arrived with their BearCat armored vehicle to provide cover for other officers to retrieve their vehicles. CHP air support was also contacted and arrived on scene, Drake said.

Clary was in his home for about an hour, then he stepped outside from his front door at 11:23 p.m. He threw his arms out and was yelling at law enforcement, according to Drake. Clary resisted police commands and assaulted the K-9 that was deployed to assist in his arrest. He also fought off Taser stun gun deployments and fled back into his home, CHP officials said.

CHP officers arrested Clary as he fled inside, and he was then booked into jail at 4:41 a.m. Officers said two bolt-action rifles and a shotgun were seized from Clary.

By Bay City News

Photo Renee Schiavone/ Patch