Suspected Looter Accused Of Stealing $15,000 Worth Of Property From Evacuated Santa Cruz Co. Home

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A 54-year-old Santa Cruz County resident who was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of looting and burglarizing a home in an evacuation area for the Bear Fire on Tuesday has been identified. Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Clark said Marlon Coy of Boulder Creek was arrested and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail after he allegedly took $15,000 worth of property - mostly jewelry and a bicycle - from a residence in the 19000 block of Hidden Valley Lane.

Coy was allegedly found with the stolen property later in the day in the city of Santa Cruz. Clark said Coy's bail was set at $200,000. Clark said that security patrols have been ongoing through evacuated areas and will continue until evacuation notices are lifted.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Bear Fire has burned 271 acres and is 10 percent contained, according to Cal Fire Division Chief Angela Bernheisel. Clark said air operations for the fire were grounded for about an
hour this morning when a drone was spotted. They were resumed around noon.

He said the operator of the drone may be tied to a gray Subaru hatchback but had no further information on any potential suspects.

"Drone operations during a disaster are illegal," Clark said. Clark advised anyone who notices a person who doesn't appear to belong or has no apparent lawful purpose in an evacuated area to call 911 or the sheriff's office dispatch.

Anyone with information on either the looting or drone incident is asked to call the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office at (831) 471-1121.

By Bay City News

Photo via Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office