Scotts Valley Bank Robbery Suspect Seen Overnight in Santa Cruz Mountains

A man who has been on the run after robbing a Bank of America branch in Scotts Valley on Thursday has stolen an unmarked law enforcement car, Santa Clara County sheriff's officials said this afternoon. Officials said around 2:30 p.m. that the man had stolen a 2009 silver Chevrolet Malibu, California license plate No. 3QWI051, from the Redwood Estates area in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where deputies have been
searching for him since Thursday morning.

Search efforts have been focused around Redwood Estates, near the Lexington Reservoir. The armed man robbed the bank at 4525 Scotts Valley Drive and then fled north in a stolen white Chrysler shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, according to Scotts Valley police Lt. John Wilson.

Wilson said that "a lot" of officers went to the scene and caught up to the Chrysler at Scotts Valley Drive and Granite Creek Road, where they began a pursuit onto state Highway 17. Within 10 minutes of the robbery, the suspect got out of the Chrysler on northbound Highway 17 near Madrone Drive and fled on foot.

It was at this time that a Scotts Valley police officer shot at the man, but it was not clear whether he was hit, according to Santa Clara County sheriff's officials. At 11:16 a.m. Thursday, locals were told to avoid the area or
shelter in place. Highway 17 was closed in both directions until after 8 p.m. Thursday, according to sheriff's officials.

The suspect was seen overnight in the area of Aldercroft Heights and Locust Drive, sheriff's officials said around 2 a.m. today. The nearby Lexington Elementary School, which was placed on lockdown by sheriff's officials at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, canceled class as a safety precaution today, Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent Diana Abbati told parents at 6:50 a.m.

The man was described as Hispanic with a thin build and groomed facial hair. He stands about 5 foot 9 inches tall and was wearing a black jacket, dark jeans and a black mask at the time of the robbery.

By Bay City News

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