Warming Watsonville Van Is Stolen When Owner Is Away

WATSONVILLE - A 20-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing a van and leading officers on a chase through Watsonville on Thursday morning, police said.

Ivan Tellez Becerra was arrested on suspicion of a vehicle pursuit in a stolen car and DUI, police Sgt. Juan Trujillo said.

An officer responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of Gardner Avenue around 6:45 a.m., Trujillo said. The victim's Honda van was taken from their driveway while the vehicle was empty and warming up, Trujillo said.

About four hours later, police received a report of someone recklessly driving in the area of Airport and Freedom boulevards, according to Trujillo. Police later learned the person was driving the vehicle stolen from Gardner Avenue earlier in the day, Trujillo said.

The person who reported seeing the van followed the suspect driver and gave updates to law enforcement authorities, but lost sight of the vehicle near Airport Boulevard and state Highway 1, according to Trujillo.

Shortly thereafter, an agent with the Santa Cruz County Anti Crime Team was driving an unmarked car and saw the van head west on Ohlone Parkway at Harkins Slough Road, Trujillo said.

The agent trailed the van and updated Watsonville police units with directions, the sergeant said.

Two officers caught up to the van in the area of West Beach and Lee roads, where the suspect didn't yield and led them on a pursuit, Trujillo said.

The chase ended in the 100 block of Shell Avenue at a parking lot to Pajaro Dunes near the coast, where the suspect was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail, according to Trujillo.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police investigations at (831) 768-3350.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the tip line at (831) 728-3544 or send a text to 888777 with "WATSPD" in the message.

-Bay Area News