Police Grab Two Suspects With Pricey Stolen Goods

SANTA CRUZ - Santa Cruz Police say they have arrested Jared Michael Foster, aka Mark Foster on an array of charges after an alert citizen recognized their stolen bicycle that he was riding.

According to police, shortly after noon on Friday, January 15, an alert citizen called SCPD after recognizing his stolen Caletti bicycle valued at $5000.00. The suspect Jared Foster was riding the bicycle through a Westside neighborhood.

Responding to the call, police say a SCPD officer located the suspect riding the bicycle along the railroad tracks in the 100 block of Fair Avenue. The person matching the suspect description with the described bicycle was later identified as Jared Michael Foster, aka Mark Foster, 34, a transient originally from Santa Cruz.

Police say when the officer attempted to stop the suspect, he dropped the bicycle and sprinted away. While running, the suspect took off his sweatshirt and dropped his backpack before he jumped over a fence in his attempt to get away.

Santa Cruz Police officers say they quickly set up a perimeter and search. Minutes later the suspect was caught.

Video surveillance apparently also captured images of Jared Foster jumping over another gated fence onto a storage property in a attempt to hide from pursuing officers.

Police say Jared Michael Foster was on active probation at the time of the incident. He was arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen identification and violation of probation.

In a second incident, shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19, police responded to a call from a resident in the 100 block of Alamo Avenue reporting that her car had just been stolen out of her driveway.

Police say the victim heard the car alarm sound from her black BMW 325i. She looked out the window and saw her car being driven away northbound on Alamo Ave. Officers responded immediately to the area and began to search for the suspect.

Within minutes, police say, an Santa Cruz officer anticipating the exact route the suspect may be taking spotted the car traveling on Mission Street. The stolen BMW passed him going in the opposite direction. The Officer made a quick U-turn and attempted to catch up to the BMW as it drove down Laurent Street.

The suspect - later identified as Jared Norris - abruptly stopped the car on California Street.

Norris then abandoned the car in an attempt to get away. The SCPD Officer chased after the Norris, and he was detained by the SCPD officer at gun point.

The police investigation revealed that the Jared Norris had a spare key to the BMW in his possession which was stolen from victim last year.

Jared Norris, 20, transient from Santa Cruz was arrested for vehicle theft, reckless driving, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property.

-images via SCPD