Man With Knife Used Bystander As Shield, Santa Cruz Police Say

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz police said they rearrested a 26-time offender Tuesday morning after a pursuit, during which the knife-wielding man used a bystander as a shield.

Jeremy M. Lee, 39, was arrested on suspicion of six charges including kidnapping, obstructing police and brandishing a weapon, police said in a statement. Lee was also booked on an outstanding arrest warrant.

The incident began shortly before 9 a.m., when police headed to the 700 block of N. Branciforte Avenue after receiving a report of a man holding a knife, yelling and charging at passing cars, police said.

Police saw Lee and realized that he had an outstanding felony parole warrant. Lee ran from officers, police said.

Officers soon caught up to him in the 500 block of Water Street, police said. He continued holding a knife, stood his ground, ignored officers and used a bystander as a shield at one point, police said.

Officers used a stun gun to disarm Lee then booked him into Santa Cruz County Jail, where he remained as of Tuesday afternoon.