Police Looking for Man Who Reportedly Showed Up to Court in a Stolen Car

Bay City News

Officials are searching for a Watsonville man in connection with several vehicle thefts after he allegedly showed up at the Santa Cruz County courthouse in a stolen pickup truck, the California Highway Patrol said today. 

Monterey and Santa Cruz county auto theft investigators were searching for Thomas Robert Koch, 24, on Tuesday in connection with the theft of several vehicles, according to a CHP official.

They located him Friday at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse, where he was scheduled to be in court at 8:15 a.m.

As they approached the courthouse, however, they spotted Koch's girlfriend, Shyanne White, 20, sitting in the passenger seat of a white GMC pickup which turned out to be stolen from the city of Santa Cruz, according to the CHP.

Koch spotted the investigators from the courthouse, and fled the area on foot.

Police arrested White on a warrant for drug possession and booked her into jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. 

Koch is still wanted on an arrest warrant for auto theft charges, the CHP said. 

He is described as a white male adult, 6 feet tall and 160 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He has a tattooed L on his right cheek.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact the CHP at (831) 796-2160.